Belén R. Suárez

A LIFE REMEMBERED….

Belén R Suárez peacefully entered the kingdom of God on Sunday September 28th, 2025. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico to Luis Rechani Agrait and Belén Zequeira Blanco. Belén graduated from the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez at the age of 19 with degrees in Pre Med and Psychology. After college she applied to medical school and was denied entrance because she was too young. She taught psychology at the University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez for a year following.

At the age of 15, Belén met José Roberto Suárez. She ignored his request for a date twice as she thought he was stuck up and dressed like a dandy. He finally won her over. Belén went to St. Louis and met José Roberto and they eloped December 13th, 1947. They married in the Catholic Church August 23rd of 1948. They later moved to Mexico so José Roberto could finish medical school. They lived there for 5 years and returned to Puerto Rico where they raised their family. In 1970, they moved to Cincinnati where she resided until her passing. José Roberto and Belén were inseparable until his death in 1989. Their love was always apparent to all. From the way they looked at each other, to their Thursday night date nights there was no denying how much they loved each other.

Belén loved travelling and learning about other cultures. During her lifetime she travelled to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. Belén attained the rank of Ruby life master in Bridge. She loved playing cards and travelled all over the country playing in tournaments.

Belén was also an avid supporter of the arts. She had season tickets to Broadway in Cincinnati and the Aronoff Theater and never missed a play or show, she financially supported the Cincinnati Art Museum and collected Art which she proudly displayed throughout her house. From paintings that covered every wall in the house, to collections of Limoges boxes, crystal paper weights, to jewel embellished picture frames and many other things, her love of all things beautiful was apparent the minute you walked in her house. In her forties, Belen took interior design classes. She did so not to have a career in interior design, but for her own enjoyment. The mix of fabrics, textures, colors and artifacts in her house and the way she displayed them were a testament to her flair and great ability to decorate and design.

Belén was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 41 years. She is survived by her 5 children: José Roberto, of Cincinnati Ohio, Belén Cecilia (Ralph), of Clive Iowa, Luis Javier (Glenda), of Mason Ohio, Angel Antonio, of Cincinnati Ohio, Carlos Manuel (Kristi), of Querétaro Mexico. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She adored her family, loved when the family got together and always doted on her granddaughters.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025 at St. Bartholomew Church, 9375 Winton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231 from 9:30 AM until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Cincinnati Art Museum P.O. Box 706381, Cincinnati, OH 45270-6381. Online condolences are welcome at Hodapp Funeral Home at hodappfuneralhome.com