Obituary of Suzanne Elizabeth Tokle
Suzanne Elizabeth Bucklin Tokle passed away peacefully and surrounded by family in Morristown, NJ, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the age of 72. Suzanne was a loving wife, mother, Mimi, sister, and friend who will be missed immensely.
Suzanne was born on September 30, 1950 to the late Donald and Louise Bucklin, just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She later moved to Liverpool, NY where she attended Liverpool High School. She always considered New England home and felt strongly connected to her roots in Massachusetts and Maine. After completing her Bachelors of Science in education from Nathaniel Hawthorne College in New Hampshire she married Arthur Tokle, Jr. and settled in Rockaway, NJ.
Suzanne was a preschool teacher at Denville Community Church Nursery School and later at St. Mary’s Parochial School, also in Denville. She worked part-time at Hodes Veterinary Group in Mine Hill and after retiring from teaching, she spent an additional 25 years working full time at the vet clinic.
Christmas was Suzanne’s favorite holiday; her children would call her the “Queen of Christmas''. She loved to shop for gifts for family and friends and always picked or made the most thoughtful and heartfelt gifts imaginable. When she would wrap her gifts, there was often too much glitter, but she always managed to keep things organized. Suzanne was an incredible hostess. She always made each and everyone feel important. Her wit and great sense of humor made her the life of the party. She loved to knit, do home crafts with her grandchildren and girlfriends, take a nap in the sun, a good mani-pedi, a warm seat at a slot machine, a lucky scratch off, and spending time on MOST weekends at ALL of her grandchildren’s sporting events. She also enjoyed sending greeting cards to those she loved with loving, tender messages and maybe even a crisp bill (or two) for her grandchildren. There were no rules at Mimi's house and the grandchildren’s favorite words were “Mimi said I could”. The most important thing of all was spending time with her family and sharing a meal together. Whenever it was time to say goodbye she would say “Lover you 40 up and down.”
Suzanne’s memory will live on through her devoted husband of 48 years, Arthur Tokle, Jr. Her loving daughters Erika (James) McGavin of Rockaway NJ, Amanda (Edward) Weil of Verona NJ and Sarah (Reese) Tokle-Riley of Dover NJ. Her grandchildren Patrick and Ryan McGavin, CC and Stephen Weil, “The Littles” Libby Weil and Kelsey McGavin, and “Itty Bitty” Brynn Riley. Her caring brother Joseph Bucklin of Mexico.
There will be a private celebration of life that will be held at a later date. Memorial Donations are being accepted in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) by way of https://inmemof.org/suzanne-elizabeth-tokle to ensure receipt of your donation. Please leave a condolence, light a candle, or share your favorite memory of Suzanne’s here to continue to celebrate her life.
