Suzanne Withington

Suzanne, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend was born on February 16, 1936 and died on October 7, 2009. She was the eldest child of Richard and Elsie Sieg, born at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC. Her father pursued a military career, graduating from West Point in 1933, third in his class. The family moved from Washington, DC to Boston where her dad obtained his Master's Degree at MIT, then to Panama. December 7, 1941, when the US entered WWII, the family moved from Panama to Texas. After the war they moved to Germany and ultimately back to Virginia. Sue attended and graduated from Albemarle High School in Charlottesville, VA. She was crowned Miss Albemarle County her senior year. She went to Longwood College in Farmsville, Virginia for two years and then moved to the Washington DC area in 1956. She met Paul Withington in 1957 and they were married at the Army Navy Country Club on September 19, 1959. Sue and Paul began their life together with Paul working for the Wall Street Journal in New York City. They subsequently moved to Chicago, then Milwaukee, back to New York City and then finally settled in Chicago (Woodstock, Illinois). Sue dedicated her life as a mother, raising her three children, Lisa, Doug and Valerie. She was active in a number of family, school, community and church events. She was active in the Church choir, singing alto at St. Mary's in Woodstock. Paul retired from the Wall Street Journal and the family moved to Wausau, Wisconsin. While the children were in High School she started working as a school secretary at Newman High School until 1985. While in Wausau, the family purchased a cottage in Phelps, Wisconsin, the site of many happy annual get-togethers for family and friends. The get-togethers have continued for thirty-three years. Sue never to be daunted by warnings about returning"home again", chose to live in Woodstock, Illinois again, in 1985 where she continued her career as school secretary at Northwood Junior High. They moved to Madison, Wisconsin where they have been living for the last fourteen years. Sue was involved in the choirs of St. Thomas Aquinas and St.Maria Goretti Catholic Church. Sue was known for her graciousness, sincerity, beauty and compassion. She was a extraordinarily talented seamstress who created clothing and gifts for the children, grandchildren and friends. She is survived by her husband Paul of Madison, her sister, Lisa Sieg of Rochester, NY and her brothers Peter Sieg of Gainesville, Florida and Jeffrey Sieg of Hauuka, Hawaii. Lisa Vasiloff ( Karl) have two boys Max and Paul and live in Newton, Massachusetts. Douglas (Jennifer) have two boys also, Christopher and Charlie and live in Western Springs, Illinois. Valerie ( Bill) have three children, Caroline, Emma and Will and live in Huntington Beach, California. These seven cherished grandchildren were the joy of Sue's ( Nana) life. After a brief three-week illness, while at St. Mary's Hospital Sue and Paul celebrated their 50th anniversary on September 19, 2009. She was moved to HospiceCare where she was lovingly cared for by doctors, nurses and staff. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 12th from 4-8 pm at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Avenue, Middleton. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, October 13th at 10:30 am at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Avenue, Madison with Monsignor Michael Burke presiding. Internment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison. We would like to extend our thanks to Dr. Santiago Hernandez at St. Mary's Hospital who was candid but compassionate. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in memory of Suzanne Withington to: HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin, 53711. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in memory of Suzanne Withington to: HospiceCare, Inc., 5395 East Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wisconsin, 53711. Cemetery: Internment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison. Visitation: Visitation will be held on Monday, October 12th from 4-8 pm at the GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Avenue, Middleton Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, October 13th at 10:30 am at ST. MARIA GORETTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5313 Flad Avenue, Madison with Monsignor Michael Burke presiding.