Susan Marie Kostal (Susie) 3/28/1979 – 4/2/2025 (Best Friend).

Susie exuded excellence, compassion, empathy, and a fighting spirit.  Susie was the best friend and a great positivity booster.  She was passionate about people, family, friends, and children.  Susie was unapologetically willing to call out wrongs when she saw them.  She was passionate about world travel, music, education, and students and was a proud reading advocate.  During her tenure as a teacher, she helped develop programs at her school, like the annual talent show, Drama Club, and Jori's Books, a program that raises money for students to have books in their homes and to provide mystery readers in the classroom.  She supported coworkers by helping develop and implement Sunshine Club, a program supporting a positive workplace culture and positive peer engagement.  She worked as the union building rep and on the leadership committee; she felt compelled to bring common sense and student advocacy.  She was a local musician playing cover songs and original music.  She has an assortment of original educational and fun music for children that you can find on YouTube.  Susie is the glue that holds a lot of different family and friends together in a positive, loving way.  Her positive attitude impacted thousands of lives for the better.  Each day, she woke up, went outside, and exclaimed to God, thank you for another day!  She will be missed dearly and loved forever.  She is the treasured daughter of Jon and Joan, cherished sister of Jon, Michael, Heather, Erica, David, and Annalise, beloved granddaughter of the late Chickie and John and Ed and Marie, precious niece of Patrica, John, Kevin, Jody, Michael, Evie, and Pam, adored aunt of Evelyn, Judy, Camille, Mason, Lorraine, and Krisalynn, loving foster mother to Kaleb, and devoted friend to many, including her Husband James, and best friends Sija, Marina, Katie, Scott, Renee, Julie, Alex and Angie.  Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All to meet Tuesday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 111 S. Cass Ave. Westmont for a 9:30 a.m. Funeral Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. For funeral info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L.