M. Elaine Suhre

M. Elaine (nee Tice) Suhre passed away August 31, 2014 after a brief illness at the age of 76. Born July 7, 1938 in Dahlgren, IL, daughter of James Harlan and Mary Florentine (nee Goffinett) Tice, she is survived by her husband of 50 years Kenneth George Suhre of Alhambra IL, her daughter Kimberly Ellen (nee Suhre) Meagher of New Douglas, IL, her son Jonathan William Suhre of Pacific, MO, grand-daughters Aislinn Paige (nee Meagher) Barbarito of Knoxville, TN and Brandi Lauryn Suhre of Columbia, MO and a great grand-daughter Aurora Sophia Barbarito, also of Knoxville, TN. She is preceded in death by her parents and infant daughter Mary Delores Suhre and infant son Paul James Suhre. A devout Catholic and Pro-Life Activist, Mrs. Suhre was a progressive woman with an adventurous spirit. The daughter of a working class family from Belleville, IL she moved to Chicago and joined the airline industry with British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) in the early 1960’s as a reservationist. She traveled to Europe and saw the sights in Paris and Rome. In 1963 she married and took some time off from her career to raise her children. In the early 1970’s she was exposed to the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori igniting a passion for education and knowledge that lasted the rest of her life. She achieved her Bachelor of Arts in Education from SIUE in 1979 and earned her Association Montessori International diploma. She served as a Montessori Directress for twenty-two years at The Children’s House and for the Kansas City Missouri Public School District where she served as a Teacher Resource during the integration of the Montessori philosophy into the public school curriculum. A voracious reader she inspired the love of books in her children and nephews. She was also a talented artist especially in the pastel medium and leaves a legacy of several beautiful works. Her interest in family and history led her to perform extensive genealogical research on the Potter and Haynes families. Visitation will be Friday, September 5, 2014, from 4 - 8 pm at Dauderman Mortuary in Alhambra, IL. Visitation will continue Saturday, September 6, 2014 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livingston, IL. Memorial Mass will be Saturday, September 6, 2014, at 10:00 am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Livingston, IL. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Livingston, Illinois. The family requests donations to St. Labre Indian School (stlabre.org) or Simply Smiles Casa Hogar (simplysmiles.org) or the donation of live plants in lieu of flowers.

M. Elaine Suhre

July 7, 1938 - August 31, 2014