For years I thoroughly enjoyed going to Suzanne’s Grateful Deli, which spent 12 years at 918 E. Willow Grove Ave. in Wyndmoor until 2014. The only thing more delicious than the food was the personality of the bubbly owner, Suzanne Henkels Leaming Bagwell, who also did lots of catering in the area and ran the popular private Suzanne’s Concierge Service for years.
I also remembered Bagwell from her days at Under the Blue Moon and The Depot (where Starbucks is now), which was run by Richard Allman, who now owns the Joseph Ambler Inn.
Bagwell, 63, who attended Our Mother of Consolation School and Raven Hill Academy as a child, died peacefully at Lankenau Hospital on March 17, surrounded by her three children and numerous other family members. One of 10 children, she was diagnosed one year ago with Waldenstrom Syndrome, a very rare, slow-growing form of cancer.
“Suzanne underwent chemotherapy treatments at Chestnut Hill Hospital, Abington Hospital and then Lankenau Hospital,” said Liz Lyons, Bagwell’s sister. “She was finally diagnosed with amyloidosis and then sepsis. Then she went downhill quickly.
“We were very close for years. We’d watch Phillies and Eagles games on TV. I took her to appointments for her treatments. People loved her. She was still making calls from the hospital for her concierge service right up until the end.”
Bagwell's brother Peter Leaming told the Local, "Suzanne and I were close in age so we had many memorable times together. Music was a big part of Suzanne's life, and I was able to go to countless concerts with her. She an I saw Billy Joel 7 times! Watching Suzanne belt out 'Scenes From an Italian Restaurant' with a huge grin on her face is among some of my greatest memories of her. Suzanne's ability to turn any room into a karaoke/sing-along/solo act was unmatched."
Trish Blackburn, Bagwell’s older sister, told the Local last week, “Suzanne was my baby sister. Number eight in our family of 10. She knew how to have a good time for sure. She lived life to the fullest until sickness slowed her down. She left us too soon. She had many friends, as was proven by the large number of people at her funeral. Suzanne will be missed by many. She is now reunited with mom.”
Bagwell’s mother, Patricia Johnson Leaming, a longtime resident of Chestnut Hill, passed away peacefully in her sleep last year at Saint Joseph Villa in Flourtown at age 96. Raised primarily in Mt. Airy and East Falls, Leaming had worked as a receptionist for prominent building contractor John B. Kelly, a three-time rowing gold medal winner in the Olympics. (He was also the father of Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly and John B. Kelly Jr., Olympic athlete and later president of the U.S. Olympic Committee.)
Bagwell’s mother married Francis J. (“Bax”) Leaming in 1951 and moved to Woodale Road in Chestnut Hill in 1952, where they raised their 10 children.
“As I think about Suzanne, I harken back to her many celebrity encounters. She was our own Forrest Gump,” said Michael Leaming, one of her brothers. “She ran the gamut from local celebrities such as Pierre Robert, Eagles player Brandon Graham and members of the Philadelphia band the Roots, to national celebrities like Gerry Beckley of the band America, along with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. She never shied away from her chance to say hello and grab a quick photo. She packed a lot of living into her 63 years.”
Bagwell’s sister, Mary Louise Callanan, also had a vivid memory: “My one story is that Suzanne and I were in the Chestnut Hill Local 36 years ago. We gave birth on the same day in Chestnut Hill Hospital. A young man came to the hospital to get a photo of the sisters and babies.”
Bagwell is survived by her children Shane, Courtney and Christian, grandchildren Cortland and Jack, and siblings Carol, Frank, Liz, Mary Louise, Michael, Paul, Peter, Jack and Trish.
A visitation was held on March 24, followed by a funeral liturgy at Our Mother of Consolation Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.
Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.
