Plan for the Future
Heather G. Suarez, 64, of Springfield, NJ, passed away on October 29, 2021. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. James the Apostle Church, 45 S. Springfield Ave. in Springfield on Thursday, November 4th at 10am. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. Visitation at Bradley, Smith & Smith Funeral Home, 415 Morris Ave. in Springfield will be from 4 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Born and raised in Bayonne, NJ, the daughter of Theodore and Carol (Scavnicky) Grasz, Heather resided in Springfield since 1980. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University in 1978, as a member of the third class of women to graduate from the university. Heather was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and received the Henry Rutgers Scholar Award and the Arthur S. Horn Award. Post graduation, Heather attended Rutgers University School of Law and earned her Juris Doctor Degree in 1981. An attorney with Walder Hayden, PA in Roseland from 1980 to 2016, Heather had more recently worked with Suarez & Suarez and Milber, Makris, Plousadis & Seiden, LLP. Heather was accomplished, having received numerous accolades and recognitions over the years. She was also generous with her time, actively participating on multiple boards and associations, including various membership and leadership roles with the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Commercial Real Estate Women of New Jersey, the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Women in the Courts, the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, the YWCA of Union County, WomenRising, and the Executive Women of New Jersey.
Family always came first for Heather. Although never an athlete herself, Heather quickly developed a keen interest in sports as she presided over a household of three boys, inclusive of her husband and two sons. Heather watched more golf over the years than she ever thought possible. She loved practicing law and was grateful for the trust placed in her by clients. Heather is thankful for her team of doctors.
Heather was the beloved wife of Michael Suarez. She was the loving mother of her two sons, Kenneth and Stephen Suarez, and to daughter-in-law, Madelaine DeLuca. She is survived by her mother Carol Grasz, her sister Holly Grasz, her mother-in-law Helen Suarez, brother-in-law Joseph Suarez, and sister-in-law Linda Suarez. She is predeceased by her father Theodore Grasz.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Heather’s memory may be made to WomenRising, 270 Fairmount Ave., Jersey City, NJ 07306.
