Susan Kay (Slaboszewski) Koizumi

Sue Koizumi, age 67, passed away suddenly on February 28, 2023, at her home in Kawasaki, Japan.  Sue was born and raised in Joliet, IL.  She attended Holy Family Grade school and graduated from St. Frances Academy in 1973.  After high school, Sue was employed at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Sue went to Las Vegas the weekend of her 21st birthday with a girlfriend, and liked it so much, they both decided to stay!  Soon after, she met her future husband Keiji Koizumi in 1976, and they married and lived in Las Vegas until 1988, when Keiji's job brought them to Japan.  She attended Sophia University in Japan, majoring in Japanese, and flourished in her career as a teacher, teaching English at an all-boys Catholic Jr. High School.  She recently retired from teaching and on the weekends, Sue was a Wedding Minister, performing Marriage Ceremonies for Japanese couples.

In her free time, she enjoyed reading, cooking, entertaining, getting together with friends and talking…with everyone!  She was also a great listener!

Sue thoroughly enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest.  She was a special, loving, caring and compassionate daughter…sister…aunt…wife…and friend.  She was loved by many, and words cannot describe how much she will be missed.  We believe that she took a little piece of all our hearts with her!

Sue is survived by her loving sisters, Kathy (Mike deceased) Auman, Dyan (Kenny) St. Romain, Trish (Mike) Blacklock, Debbie (Ted) May;  brother, Larry (Jackie) Kozak; nieces,  Erica (Jeff) Jaunich, Heather (Tim) Kearns, Chelsea May, Sarah (Donnie) Ladas; nephew,  Chris (Amy) Kozak;  great-nieces,  Kendall Kozak, Kylie Kozak, Darcie Ladas;  great-nephews,  Hunter Jaunich, Evan Jaunich, Cooper Kearns, Donnie Ladas; aunts, Laura (Frank deceased) Burke and Jo (Bob) Hobbs; many dear cousins; and special friends, Steve Rutkowski, Bob Schubert, Terry Hamerla, and many others.  Sue is also survived by her close friends in Japan, including Tokiko, Rufy, Toko, Shigemi, Yoko, Miz, Brian, Chie, Sheila and many more.

She is preceded in death by her former Husband, Keiji Koizumi (2005); father, Valentine (Bud) Slaboszewski (2002); mother, Frances Kozak (2007); step-father, Joseph Kozak (2008); special friend, Nancy Thacker (2006); and many other friends, dear aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A Service was arranged by her dear friends in Japan and held on March 18th; all her closest friends were in attendance.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the Croatian Cultural Club, 1503 Clement Street, Joliet, from 12:00 – 4:00 P.M.  A short ceremony will take place at 12:30, officiated by Tezak's Home To Celebrate Life, followed by lunch and an afternoon of Celebrating Sue's Life.  ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND.