Suzanne Tucker (Sprawls) Irwin

Suzanne Tucker Sprawls Irwin, child of God, of Muhlenberg Township, died September 8, 2022 at
Country Meadows, Wyomissing at age 77.
Tucker, as she preferred to be called, was born February 7, 1945 in Lakeland, FL, to the late Elizabeth
Shoeniger Chance Sprawls and Richard David Sprawls. She had one sister, the late Sandra O’Neill.
Tucker was baptized into the Body of Christ on July 20, 1958.
A graduate of Schwenksville High School (1963), Shippensburg State College (1967; Bachelor’s of Science in
Elementary Education), and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1980, Masters of Art in
Religion), Tucker joyfully served her community as first a public school teacher in Schwenksville and later
as an Associate in Ministry for the Lutheran Church of America (now Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America) in many capacities including as an assistant to the pastor, a pastoral counselor, a school
administrator, and a director of Christian education. She also served her communities through advocacy
and justice work, never avoiding or declining an opportunity to advocate for the needs and dignity of
others.
Throughout her life, Tucker exemplified the life of a faithful follower of Jesus, working to foster
communities and relationships that, in her own words, “exhibit warmth, caring, and openness for
others.” In all things, she kept central the call of Christ to care for others, to love one’s neighbor as
oneself, and to show genuine hospitality and respect to all. She lived this way so unwaveringly that it
had a profound positive impact on all those who knew her; she will be deeply missed by many, and her
memory will indeed be a blessing to all who knew her.
She was also a delightful, funny, and laid back person, who enjoyed spending time with friends and
family, crocheting, reading (or falling asleep listening to books on tape), singing (there is, in fact, a song
for every occasion), and chatting (she could get your entire life story from you and make you feel heard
in the time it took to ring up her groceries). She was also a devoted cat owner, who lived by the rule that
“if the cat is sleeping on me, I simply can’t get up.” Tucker would also want you to know that she was a
very curious person, “and you can take that however you like.”
Tucker is survived by her beloved husband of 43 years, Thomas F. Irwin, Jr.; her darling daughters, Jane
Elizabeth Irwin (Shane Kilpatrick) of Reading, and Kathryn Suzanne Irwin (Carmine Pernini) of Rahway,
NJ; and her four sweet grandchildren Tucker Daniel Irwin-Pernini, Tillie Ruth Irwin-Pernini, Thomas
Andrew Irwin-Pernini, and Terrence Howard Irwin-Pernini.
In keeping with her passions for serving others and encouraging education, Tucker has given her body to
science through the Humanities Gifts Registry. 
A memorial hymn sing and picnic will be held to honor Tucker’s life on Sunday, September 25th at 4pm
at the Stoudt’s Ferry Playground, 804 Tuckerton Road, (Muhlenberg Township) Reading, PA. In the event
of rain, the hymn sing will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 4201 Stoudt’s Ferry Bridge Road,
(Muhlenberg Township) Reading, PA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Safe Berks (safeberks.org/donate).
Stitzel Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., Reading, is in charge of arrangements.  For online
condolences, visit www.StitzelFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

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