In Memoriam: Dorothy 'Doris' Suhre

From W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home.

Dorothy “Doris” Suhre, 91, of North Branford, CT passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 1 at Evergreen Woods.

Born in New York on September 23, 1924, daunter of Mary and John Salamak, she grew up in Sunnyside Queens, New York.

She met the love of her life, Carl Suhre, at a Kings Point Academy dance in 1947; they were married one year later and lived happily ever after for 57 years until his death in 2005.

Loving mother to Janet Ryan (Gerald), grandmother to Paige Shank (Jonathan) and Michael Ryan (Brianna), and great-grandmother to Dylan Shank and Luke Ryan. Sister of Helen Ogden (Robert), and Aunt of Judy Ogden, Joyce Ogden, Ann Wallace (Pat), Dale Irwin (Carolyn), Sandy Suhre and Teri Youngs.

After graduating from high school, she went on to study and become a Medical Record Librarian and later, became an Executive Secretary working at several companies. She retired in 1988 from Hartford Special Machinery in Simsbury, where she was secretary to the President. After spending her youth in New York, and her early married life in New Jersey, she and Carl moved to Avon where they resided for 45 years. They were long time members of the Hopmeadow Country Club in Simsbury. In 2005 she and Carl moved to Branford to be closer to their daughter and her family. She made her final move to Evergreen Woods in 2010.

Dorothy was a master bridge player and spent many retirement years at the duplicate tables and bridge cruises with her husband and friends. She was also a gifted artist from an early age, returning to audit art courses in retirement, and created artwork in watercolor, oil and pastels. As early as the 1950’s, Dorothy was an organic gardener. Her green thumb was evidenced by her beautiful roses, dahlias, and peonies among the many of her specimen flowers. As only she could, she propagated many of her plants to share with friends; and today her daughter’s beautiful garden is the result of the many plantings she brought from Avon to Branford and transplanted with care. But her greatest love was her family, who she was always there for and cared for.

The family thanks everyone at Evergreen Woods for their kindness and care during her residency at the Health Center.

There will be a celebration of life on Friday, December 11 at 11:00 AM at the First Congregational Church of Branford on the Green. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Literacy Volunteers of Greater New Haven, or to the charity of your choice.