Suzanne Eason Hopson of Greenwich, CT, passed away on Wednesday, April 30, following complications from cancer. She was 61 years old.
Suzanne was born on September 24, 1963, in Huntington, NY, and grew up in Northport, NY. She attended Northport High School, where she was an athlete on the cross country team. She studied at Boston College for two years before transferring to the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she received a BFA in Advertising Design in 1988, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Suzanne later completed a Master’s degree in Residential Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design in 2005. She also studied at the esteemed Polimoda Instituto di Designo, Instituto Chileno Norteamericano, The New School/Parsons, and Boston University.
A multi-talented designer with a keen entrepreneurial spirit, Suzanne led an exceptional career in diverse luxury brands, building businesses stateside and abroad. In 1990, Suzanne relocated to Santiago, Chile, and in 1991, co-founded a successful design firm, Art & Function. Her work ethic and innovative approach led to a pivotal role as SVP and Global Creative Director at Avon Cosmetics, NYC, from 1998 to 2004. During her tenure, Suzanne became an award-winning Creative Director, overseeing the design of Avon’s worldwide cosmetic lines. She also led the creative vision for the company’s first and only retail brand, beComing, and was instrumental in launching Avon’s prestigious Spa & Salon on 5th Avenue in NYC.
In 2003, Suzanne met her beloved husband, Kenneth R. Hopson, and together they welcomed daughters Sienna in 2005 and Scarlett in 2007. The family then moved from Manhattan to Greenwich, CT, where she founded PLUMRIDGE HOUSE, a residential interior design firm. Her work was featured in prestigious publications including LUXE, Traditional Home, CTC&G, and Greenwich Magazine.
Suzanne made lifelong friends through multiple volunteer engagements, including The Greenwich Historical Society, Shelter for the Homeless, Holiday House NYC, Green Fingers Garden Club, Christ Church Greenwich, and the PTA. She was a longtime member of Soho House and Indian Harbor Yacht Club.
In 2019, Suzanne established Black Panther Safaris LLC, a luxury tourism company. Black Panther Safaris funds scholarships for girls in Tanzania, helping them access resources needed to attend school and transform their futures. She also created a STEM lab in Kenneth’s honor at a local Tanzanian high school.
Suzanne was an avid animal lover, traveler, conservationist, and gardener. She was also a devoted mother, wife, sister, and friend to many. Suzanne will be remembered for her wisdom, strength, creativity, and unwavering love for family. She is survived by her loving daughters Sienna, 20, and Scarlett, 17, and her sister, Aileen De Loughry. Suzanne will be dearly missed.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at Christ Church Greenwich, on Saturday, May 10, at 10:30am, followed by a reception in Parish Hall. To attend the service remotely, use the following link: https://events.locallive.tv/events/176458. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to benefit Sienna and Scarlett may be made to The Hopson Family Trust, P.O. Box 4613, Greenwich, CT 06831 or TheHopsonFamilyTrust.com.