MARCIA ELLEN VAN VLIET SUAREZ's Obituary
Marcia Van Vliet Suarez, RN, 71, of Coral Gables, Florida, passed away on Thursday, July 5th, 2024, at her home in Coral Gables. She was born in Orlando, Florida, on April 23, 1953, to her loving parents, Howard E. Van Vliet, Lt. Col. U.S. Air Force, and Jane E. Smith Van Vliet. Like many military families, Marcia lived in various places, including England, France, Germany, and several cities in the United States.
She completed her high school education at Maynard Evans High School in Orlando, Florida, in 1971. She later earned degrees in Radiologic Technology and Nursing from Valencia Community College in Orlando.
After moving to Miami, Florida, Marcia worked for many years at Jackson Memorial/University of Miami Medical Center as a nurse in the trauma service and later in the operating room. It was at Jackson Memorial that she met her future husband, Carlos A. Suarez, MD.
Marcia eventually left hospital nursing to become a devoted mother and to manage her husband's surgical practice, a role she carried out with great love and compassion for her patients. She continued in this role until 2022.
She and Carlos were blessed with three beautiful children: Christina Lee Suarez and her son Crimson; Jennifer Suarez Cameron, her husband Lee, and their sons August and Adrian; and Michael Anthony Suarez and his daughter Alexis. Carlos's daughters from a previous marriage, Deanna Suarez Paterna and Catherine Suarez Menendez, her husband Manny, and their children, Manuel, Christopher, and Isabella, also survive her, along with many nieces and nephews.
Marcia was preceded in death by her father, Howard, and her mother, Jane. In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by her loving sisters, Terry Van Vliet Cravey, her husband John, and their son Jamie Riddle; and Brenda Van Vliet Pepke, her husband Tim, and their children, Brandy Moss Keller, Kala Moss, and Wayne Moss.
Marcia's passions included remodeling and decorating her homes, baking, and designing jewelry. She was a kind soul whose smile, wisdom, sense of humor, and love for her family and friends will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
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