Sue Stokes

Sue Stokes

Sue (Sullivan) Stokes, 70, of Gridley, IL passed away peacefully
in her home the evening of Thursday, January 9 with her loving
husband, Leo, and youngest son, David by her side.  Sue lost
her courageous six-year battle with cancer, but gained everlasting
life as the gates of heaven opened for her that day.


Born Susan Therese Sullivan on October
23, 1943 in Elmhurst, IL to Clarence and Pauline (DeHaye) Sullivan,
Sue was one of six children.　She graduated from St. Francis High
School in Wheaton, IL and achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Education from Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa.　 Sue married the
love of her life, Leo Stokes on April 12, 1969.  They lived in
Chicago before moving in 1971 to Leo's home on the farm in El Paso,
IL.  In 1999, they moved off the farm to Gridley, where she
spent the rest of her life.


Sue was a teacher in the El
Paso-Gridley area for many years, and was passionate about making a
difference in the lives of her students.  In recent years she
worked part-time with her son, David at Edward Jones.　 Community
involvement was a cornerstone of Sue's life, she was active in the
Foresters, Home Extension, and was a 4-H leader.　She was an avid
reader, a member of several book clubs and Bible Study. With Leo,
she was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church in El
Paso where she was a Sunday School Teacher.


She is survived by her husband Leo
Stokes; four children: Kathryn Gamewell (Matthew) of Highland Park,
IL; Renee Stokes of Evanston, IL; Daniel Stokes of Chicago; and
David Stokes (Jennifer) of Normal.　 She was blessed with five
grandchildren Mallory, Andrew (Highland Park, IL) and Jack, Abigail
and Nicholas (Normal).   Also surviving are five
siblings; Father John Sullivan, Thomas Sullivan, Mary Comstock,
David Sullivan and James Sullivan, all of the Chicago area.


Her parents preceded her in death.


She will be remembered as a great
listener, having a kind heart and gentle spirit.   Death
leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can
steal.   Sue will truly be missed.


The visitation will be held on
Tuesday, January 14 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Ruestman-Harris Funeral
Home in El Paso.  The funeral mass will be held on Wednesday,
January 15 at 10:00 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in El
Paso.  The day of the funeral there will be a visitation from
9-9:45 am at the Funeral Home.


Memorial donations in the name of Sue
Stokes may be made to ABC Counseling and Family Services, 705 E.
Lincoln Suite 303 Normal, IL, 61761.  Online condolences may
be sent to her family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com.

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