Betty Lou Suggitt

Betty Lou Suggitt, age 91, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, died on October 17, 2018, in Sault Ste. Marie. She was born on May 28, 1927, in Sault Ste. Marie, to Edward and Mabel B. (Miller) Russell. Betty grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and attended Sault Area Schools, graduating with the class of 1945 despite the fact that at the age of three, she suffered profound hearing loss from the measles. She took a class in lip reading and became an expert. Most people couldn’t tell that her hearing was impaired. After high school, Betty worked at War Memorial Hospital as a surgical assistant, counting instruments and making sure that everything was accounted for during surgery. Betty’s brother went into a construction partnership with George Suggitt. Betty and George decided to make their own partnership and were married on September 18th, 1948. They had their wedding at her mother’s home in the same room she was born in. Betty and George built a home of their own on West 9th avenue and as their family grew they built additions on the house. When their four children were nearly grown, besides doing most of the bookwork for George’s construction business, Betty went to work as the bookkeeper for Twin City Gas and Tire at the corner of Ashmun and Easterday. She worked there until they closed in the 1980’s. For most of her life, she also knit everything from blankets to sweaters, to mittens for family and to earn extra income. George died February 7, 2009. Betty was a member of the Eastern Star, the VFW auxiliary, and the 1st Baptist Church. Betty lived to dance. She was a great dancing partner because she wasn’t distracted by the music and followed her partner perfectly. She enjoyed playing bridge but especially liked to spend time with her family. Betty is survived by her children, Randall Suggitt of Sault Ste. Marie, Brenda (Dennis) Bennette of Barbeau, Michigan, Nancy (Don) Sawruk of Sault Ste. Marie, and Alan (Anne) Suggitt of Sault Ste. Marie; grandchildren, Gavin (Nicole) Suggitt, Jule (Michael) Thomas, Amber Suggitt, Miranda Suggitt, Stacey (Tom) Swanson, Page (Chad) Sting, Stacia Keup, Alex Sawruk, Andrei (Kristin) Sawruk, Tom (Liz) Suggitt, Kimberly (Adam) Staber; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Christian, Spencer, Felix, Ann, Madelyn, Bennette, Grace, Taylor, Emma, Ryan, Logan, Bradley, Jackson, Clark, Owen, Josephine, Cora, Carter, Kendall, Madison, Nicholas, and Michael; and great-great-grandchild, Penelope. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, George F. Suggitt; grandson, Brandon Suggitt; brother, Edward Russell; and sister, Donna Taipalus. A Memorial Gathering will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2018 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Sault Elks lodge in Sault Ste. Marie. Interment will be at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens, in Bruce Township, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the E.U.P, 308 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or Order of Eastern Star, C/O Bethel Lodge, 3443 S. Seymour, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.

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Betty Lou Suggitt

May 28, 1927 - October 17, 2018