Sue Cole

1946 - 2015

Sue Cole died May 28, 2015, of an abdominal aortic aneurysm at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Born Teresa Sue Stump on Aug. 28, 1946, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sue was a child of a military family. She lived in many places over the course of her lifetime, including Illinois, California, Hawaii, Maine and Missouri. Sue loved and lived in Fairbanks for more than 40 years.
Sue was a beloved and integral member of the Fairbanks community, touching many lives over the years. She was many things to many people. Sue was a Christian. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, and taught many classes both to children and to adults. Sue was an artist. She was an avid and talented artist of many mediums including painting, marbling, bookbinding, collage and a medley of other mediums. She was a staple at the local Farmers Market, art shows and bazaars. Her beautiful work still can be found at the Bear Gallery Gift Shop and Expressions in Glass. 
Sue was a teacher. Sue shared her artistic knowledge in teaching a multitude of classes and workshops over the years, including classes at the OSHA Lifelong Learning Center, The Folk School, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, as well as private lessons. Sue was a dancer. She enjoyed the Contra Borealis Dance group and the Ballroom Dance Club of Fairbanks and often spoke longingly and lovingly of those fun days. Sue was a task master. She taught years of driving instruction, including truck driving, and gave many Fairbanksans their driver's test.
Sue was a friend. She had a big heart and was caring. She so generously shared her knowledge, ideas and problem solving solutions, and could help find the most obscure items when asked. She could spot a diamond in the rough and was a superb up-cycler. 
Sue was a daughter, sister and aunt. She was a daughter to Robert Mason Stump and Hazel Jane Cambell Stump (deceased), sister to Bruce Eugene Mason Stump (deceased) and is survived by siblings Cheri Lynn Meeks, of Miami, Oklahoma; Tamara May Mattsson, of Vacaville, California; and Dale Allen Stump, of Fairfield, California, and families.
Sue requested to have her ashes spread at Blueberry Hill at Skiland and Good Pasture River, two places that were meaningful and which she found most beautiful. In lieu of a funeral, in true Sue fashion, Sue requested a celebration of life be held at the Dance Hall at Pioneer Park, complete with music, dancing and storytelling. This celebration will be held in the near future, date to be announced.
Condolences and donations in honor of Sue can be sent to: Tammy Mattson at 426 Marbella Lane, Vacaville, CA 95688.