Sharon "Sue" Stempowski's Obituary
Sharon S. “Sue” Stempowski (nee Butcher), age 77, of Vermilion, passed away after a lengthy illness at the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio on Friday, May 26th, 2023.
Sue was born June 15th, 1945 in Akron, Ohio, grew up in Lorain, Ohio while living the majority of her adult life in Vermilion, Ohio. She spent several formative years in Weston, WV and retirement years in Lake Wales, FL. Sue was a 1963 graduate of Lorain High School and took college classes at LCCC to continue her lifelong enjoyment of learning.
Sue was a woman of many talents and dedicated those talents to everything she did throughout her life. She was elected to the Vermilion City Council in the early 1980’s representing Ward 5, driven by her passion for her community. She remained active to ensure the safety of citizens on the south side of Vermilion, staying engaged to see through the replacement of the Highbridge Road railroad bridge in 2018. She worked at various McDonald’s, becoming a manager fulfilling her desire to help others learn and grow. She also worked at Home Depot for a time, to spread her joy of gardening and flowers. The role that gave her the greatest pride and happiness was raising her 7 children and taking care of her husband and home. She was an excellent gardener and liked to sculpt and paint ceramics, giving them to friends and family. Her favorite hobby was spoiling her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren. Sue was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Vermilion, Ohio and was a member of the Red Hat Society in Lake Wales, Florida.
Sue is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 59 years, Edward Stempowski; children, Edward (Deniseann), of Pekin, IN, Christopher (Martha Coen), of Vermilion, OH, Michael (Lori), of Amherst, OH, Dr. Matthew (Susie Moore), of Avon Lake, OH, William (Tracy), of LaGrange, OH and Brenda (Jason) Girgash, of Westlake, OH; 19 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; as along with many nieces and nephews.
Sue was preceded in death by a daughter, Janice Peters; parents, Glenn & Nina (nee Riffle) Butcher; brother, Jerry Butcher; and sister, Barbara Woodhull.
Sue’s family is forever blessed and grateful for the 11 years they have had with her following her lung transplant. The family is forever indebted to the donor and their family whose lung enabled them to have their wife, mom, grandma, great grandma and friend in this life for many additional years.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 2nd, 2023 from 4 – 8 pm in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Her Mass of Christian burial will be on Saturday at 9:30 am, at St. Peter’s Church, 3655 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain, OH 44053. Rev. Fr. Craig Hovanec, Pastor, will officiate. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. To send an online condolence, please visit www.dovinreberjones.com.
In Sue’s honor and memory, the family suggests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or go to www.stjude.org.
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