Dona Margaret ("Suzi/Sue") (Wright) Becker, 90, passed away peacefully of natural causes on July 10 in Bradenton, Florida.
Sue Becker was born in Ferndale, Michigan on January 26, 1934, to Donald W. and Gertrude Mae (Smerdon) Wright. Sue and her siblings - brother Donald, Jr. and sisters Betty and Kay ("Willy") - were raised in the Detroit area.
Sue attended Cass Technical High School where she excelled at all things artistic, earning many ribbons and awards for her work. After graduation, Sue attended Michigan State University where she continued her art education, exploring and becoming proficient in multiple artistic mediums. Sue received a Bachelor of Arts degree and was also a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority.
While at MSU, Sue met her future husband, Frank Robert (Bob) Becker. The couple married in 1957 and had three sons: John (born 1958), Charles "Chuck" (born 1961), and Andrew (born 1965).
In their early years of marriage, Bob Becker was a paper products salesman and the family lived in several Midwestern cities. After a brief stop in Saratoga, California in the early 70's, the family settled in Lakeland, Florida in 1973 where Bob started a paper plate manufacturing company.
While living in Lakeland, in addition to raising three children Sue allowed her artistic juices to flourish. She shared a studio with several other Polk County artists where she had a pottery wheel and kiln. Sue served on the board of the Ridge Art Gallery where she also taught pottery classes.
During this time, Sue developed a close friendship with another Lakeland artist, Chryssie Tavrides. That strong friendship would last the rest of Sue's life and inform an important decision she would make in later years.
Bob and Sue divorced in 1978. A few years later, Sue met Douglas Blows, her partner until his passing in 2006. Together, the two built a spectacular home on the Manatee River in Ellenton, Florida. They ran a successful heavy equipment rental business from the property. Sue was especially fond of the treehouse-like art studio they created where she continued to pursue her artistic interests which now included stained glass and handmade jewelry. She and Doug loved caring for the natural surroundings of their large Manatee River property.
After Doug's passing, Sue sold the Manatee River property and moved to a smaller home in Ellenton. In 2018, she sold that property and both she and her long-time friend Chryssie moved into separate units at Freedom Village in Bradenton. Sue thoroughly enjoyed her final years at Freedom Village where she was an active member of the community until her passing.
Sue was a loving and loyal family member and friend. She tended to be a private person but if you were part of her family or circle of friends she was always there for you. Her personality was soft and engaging, but she could be strong and determined when necessary. She was an amazing listener and always gave feedback that made you feel she understood exactly what you were saying. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by family and friends.
Sue was preceded in death by her father, Donald W. Wright; mother, Gertrude Mae (Smerdon) Wright; brother, Donald Wright, Jr.; and sister, Kay ("Willy") (Wright) Isaacson.
Sue is survived by a sister, Betty (Wright) McKay of Bellville, Illinois. She is also survived by three sons: John N Becker of Atlanta, Georgia; Charles Allen "Chuck" Becker (Anne Jackson) of Lakeland; and Andrew Woodworth Becker of Brandon, Florida.
Sue is also survived by four grandchildren: Charlotte Marie Sapienza (Jay) of Vero Beach, Florida; Laura Anne Becker (Michael Ramirez) of Lakeland; Carole Michelle Becker (Ryan Lynch) of Tampa; and Michael Robert Becker (Sydney Thinnes) of Tampa. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Lillian Greene of Herndon, Virginia; Anthony Sapienza of Vero Bech; Sophia Sapienza of Vero Beach; and Noah Charles Lynch of Tampa.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a generous donation to a local art guild or community center for artisans.
