Frances A. Sutter

Frances A. Sutter, formerly of Perrysburg, New York passed away peacefully at her lakeside home in Constantia, New York on March 26, 2026. Frances was born June 1, 1929 in Villenova, New York to Lucian and Alexandra (Konieczna) Rowicki. Frances attended school in Cherry Creek, New York until her family moved to South Dayton, New York. Frances graduated from South Dayton High School as class valedictorian in 1947. Frances attended Geneseo State Teachers College where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and speech correction, graduating in 1950. Frances taught her first year at Willard School in Jamestown, New York and thereafter taught for Gowanda Central Schools for 27 years, retiring in 1989. During her tenure with the Gowanda Schools Frances taught in Dayton, Collins and the old elementary school in Gowanda. Frances married Clarence "Jim" Sutter August 4, 1951. They lived on, and operated, a farm on the Cottage Road in South Dayton until they moved to Perrysburg in 1966. Together they had six children Michael (Donna), Phillip (Marie) Diane Ireland, Larry (Patty), Sharon (Bill Buchan), and Tim (Therese). They were blessed with seven grandchildren Russell, Laura, Alexa, Matthew Ireland, Lena, Leo and John. Recently Frances was blessed with a great-grandchild, Max Ireland. Frances was a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Gowanda Legion, Gowanda VFW Auxiliary, Gowanda Women of the Moose and NYSTRA. In 2019, Frances moved to Constantia where she enjoyed living lakeside, learning about and watching the waterfront wildlife, roaming about in her golf cart, and enjoying many family gatherings.

Frances was known as a great baker and cook. Fran loved entertaining family and friends, and especially loved pulling off "surprise" parties. She was a fierce competitor at dominoes and especially Rummikub. But most importantly, she loved her family, and there was nothing she enjoyed more than her children and grandchildren getting together. One of her retirement projects was a family cookbook. After her first edition, she completed a "second edition" with additional notes for the grandchildren. Frances also loved woodworking, making and painting many lawn ornaments. Her favorite woodworking project was the military service men that she displayed in their yard every year. She and Jim also made a set for a display at the LEEK facility in Pennsylvania which provides opportunities for disabled veterans to hunt and fish. Frances and Jim traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states. They wintered in Arizona for 19 years, returning to Perrysburg every spring.

Frances was predeceased by her husband Jim, her parents, brothers Adam and John, and sisters Esther and Irene. Memorial donations may be made to Love, Inc., in Gowanda, NY, LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve, Inc. in Oswayo, PA, or, St. Joseph's RC Church, in Gowanda, NY.