Helen Suess

Helen Ann Bruton Suess, 91, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2025 in Oro Valley, Arizona, with her beloved husband of 25 years, Tom Suess, by her side. Born in San Diego on February 3, 1934, Helen lived a life defined by perseverance, friendship, and passion.
As the daughter of a Navy chief, Helen experienced a unique childhood. At just seven years old, she and her family were stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, they were evacuated on banana boats to the United States, an experience she fondly remembered-eating bananas and tossing the peels into the sea before embarking on a train to journey to Quincy, Massachusetts.
Helen grew up in Quincy, where she was a cheerleader and a dedicated member of the prom committee at North Quincy High School. She remained deeply connected to her roots, attending class reunions for decades.
A woman of strength and determination, Helen carried these qualities through every chapter of her life. She was an avid reader and found her greatest passion in golf, a sport she took up in the late 1960s. She not only played courses from coast to coast-including Hawaii-but also won numerous tournaments and spectated at professional events. True to her creative spirit, she even sewed her own golf outfits in her early playing years.
Helen is survived by her husband, Thomas W. Suess; her children, Michelle (Roger) Caldwell, Cynthia (John) Dugan, and Ralph (Wendy) Smith; her siblings, William A. Bruton and Dorothy E. Miller; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Roy Taylor and Helen Agnes Bruton; her daughter, Susan Ann (Clinton) Ar; and her brother, Roy Taylor Bruton.
Helen's legacy is one of resilience and the joy she found among her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Click this link to view additional details about Helen's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/helen-suess