Elliott

Susan Kay Babcock Elliott, 86, passed away in Sarasota, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, with family at her side.

Born in Alton, Ill., on Oct. 28, 1936, Sue grew up in Toledo, Ohio, daughter of Clarence L. and Martha E. Babcock.

She is survived by her sister, Jane A. Seward; her brother, Larry L. Babcock; her sister-in-law, Gretchen Cochran; her son, Daniel R. Elliott (Maria Van Liew); her daughter, Elizabeth V. Elliott (Helen Enander); a host of nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and her most beloved granddaughters, Anna Kay R. Elliott and Eliza Jane R. Elliott.

Sue and her husband, Tom Elliott, were together for nearly 70 years, until his recent passing last May.

Sue graduated from the University of Toledo, in medical technology, and she was married that same day, June 14, 1958. Soon after, they moved to Alabama, where Sue worked in the local hospital while Tom served in the military.

After a few years in West Germany, they returned to the U.S. and moved to Butler, where they lived for more than 50 years. Her children were born soon after. The family spent lots of time together going camping, swimming at Penn Valley Athletic Club most summers, gardening, and sailing at Moraine State Park.

Sue volunteered for organizations such as United Cerebral Palsy and Irene Stacy. Both Sue and Tom were certified scuba divers. Always a little bit activist, Sue and her friend, Gerry Maggio, took on the Butler YMCA because it refused to let women play racquetball. They solved that problem permanently, so everyone gets fair access to the courts.

When she wasn’t being a mom or serving the community, she was spending time with her friends. Her expertise as a Lady who Lunches was unmatched! A member of the Butler Literary Club, she also socialized with her special set of like-minded women, who dubbed themselves, “The Furies.”

An outstanding cook, baker and canner, Sue put up bushels and bushels of tomatoes from her enormous garden every summer. She sang and played the guitar. She made clothes for herself and her children, did macramé, knitted argyle socks, and loved beads. She read more books than anyone (everyone knows).

Her lifetime of quilt craft included these favorites, The Smith Sisters quilt, Tumbling Blocks, Perseverance, the 1890s, Australian Women’s Myths, and numerous Thanksgiving quilts. Each Thanksgiving for more than 40 years, the Joyces, the Pinkuses, the Sewards, their kids, spouses and dogs would come to the Elliotts for the holiday. Guests were always welcome. Only one condition permitted admittance: If you were old enough to hold a needle, you were required to sew a six-pointed star to be added to that year’s quilt. We are all proud that this story is featured in the book, “American Quilts 1990.”

In retirement, Susan and Tom wintered for years in Sarasota to be close to Tom’s family. They became permanent residents at Plymouth Harbor in 2014. While there, Sue volunteered as colony chair, was a member of the dining committee, and assisted in the library. Her favorite stint was at Plymouth Harbor’s thrift shop. Her mahjong buddies were very special to her.

Now and forever missed by so many loved and loving friends, and especially by her family, she was one of a kind.

Donations in Susan Elliott’s name may be made to Planned Parenthood, EMILYs List, or the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.