Suzanne Drabek, a long-time resident of Princeton and Hunterdon County, died July 17th in the Princeton Medical Center at Plainsboro after an abrupt diagnosis of metastatic cancer. She was 56.

Born in Park Ridge, Illinois, the daughter of Joseph and Marie Drabek (both deceased), she spent much of her childhood in Princeton and graduated from Princeton High School. She was an alumna of Lehigh University and later earned a Masters Degree from Southern Methodist University and completed additional graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

One of Suzanne's great loves throughout her life was animals. She formed an early personal and professional partnership with equestrian Thom Trout in 1983. For twelve years, as a principal of TroutBek, she was instrumental in the management, promotion and beautification of several horse training facilities at various rural locations within Hunterdon County, the last of which was in Frenchtown. She and Thom resided in Lambertville throughout most of this period and she began her work in real estate sales during that time.

In the mid-nineties she returned to Princeton where she thrived as a successful real estate broker. Licensed in NJ and PA, she was affiliated with Burgdorff in Stockton and in Princeton for over twenty years. She was a member of the Leader Circle, the President's Club and was named the top Relocation Sales Associate in 2003. During her long career as a real estate professional she was consistently ranked in the Mercer County Board of Realtors "Circle of Excellence" and was a member of TOP PRODUCERS. She regularly served on Board committees in the areas of education, political advocacy, professional standards, among others. In later years she had been affiliated with N.T. Callaway and ERA Properties Unlimited. Suzanne was well-known within the profession and was widely recognized for the high level of expertise and experience she brought to all facets of her work in the field.

In recent years Suzanne had devoted herself almost exclusively to the care of her elderly father, Joe Drabek, who passed away in December 2012. During this time she also maintained a happy home for her adored dogs who were her constant companions: the Dachshunds "Spike & Louis and Moe," and the Collie "Skye," who had earlier belonged to her father, as well as her shy adopted cat "Leo." She had many beloved friends and colleagues in the Princeton community at the time of her death.

Suzanne is survived by two brothers, Jonathan Drabek of St. Augustine, Florida, and Jaime Drabek of McAllen, Texas.

Friends may gather at the Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Ave., Princeton NJ on Monday August 19th, 2013 from 10am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00am Burial will follow in Princeton Cemetery adjacent to her parents' graves.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the animal rescue organization S.A.V.E., 900 Herrontown Rd., Princeton NJ 08540.