Suzie Apel

Alice Dolores (Keefe) Apel, a devoted wife and mother, passed away November 7, 2015 in Oklahoma City following a long illness. Better known by one and all as Suzie, she was 82 years old.She was born on July 6, 1933 in Denver, Colorado. Her family made its home in Oklahoma City and Suzie graduated from Classen High School. She married Robert E. Apel on August 14, 1953, and had four children. Except for brief sojourns in Georgia and Kansas City, the family lived in Oklahoma City.Raising her children during the 60s and 70s when the world seemed topsy-turvy, Suzie's Catholic faith and devotion to family was a solid anchor for her children. While they were in school, Suzie worked as a church and parish secretary first at St. Patrick's then at Rosary School, where her air of quiet confidence lent support to students, faculty, and pastors alike. Following her retirement, Suzie cared for both her mother, who lived across the street, and her mother-in-law who lived next door, in their declining years.In a time when so many marriages were falling apart around them, Suzie and Bob persevered for 62 years until separated by Bob's death on April 10, 2015.Bob and Suzie lived briefly at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City where they made many friends and were lovingly cared for by a dedicated staff.Suzie was preceded in death by her sisters Kathleen and Margaret. She is survived by her daughter Susan Rosenhamer and her three sons Jim, Tom and Chris, 12 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Suzie at 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 13th, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 8005 Dorset Dr., in Oklahoma City. A Rosary will be said Thursday at 7 p.m. at St. Damien's Catholic Church at 8455 N.W. 234 St. also in Oklahoma City.Suzie and Bob were great supporters of Catholic education. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosary School in Oklahoma City. (Checks should be made out to St. Francis Church, with Suzie Apel on the memo line.)