Elida "Susie" C. Lalor

Service Details

Mass: Friday, September 15, 2017 at 6:00 pm in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie Street in Racine

Visitation: Friday, September 15th in the church from 4:30 – 6:00 pm

Burial: Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Calvary Cemetery at 11:00 am

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Elida Clarissa “Susie” (Smith) Lalor has passed from the last chapter of her life’s journey to the beginning of a new chapter of her being. Born November 25,1918 in the Town of Daniels, Burnett County, Wisconsin to parents, Hugh J. and Hazel (Oman) Smith, the second oldest of 7 children. Sue received her name from her older brother who would inquire “when is Sister Sue coming?”

Sue attended Dodge County Teachers College in Mayville, Wisconsin earning her certificate to teach. She taught in a one room school house, arriving early in the morning on cold winter days to build a fire in the fire place keeping the children warm throughout the day. She met her husband Bernard Joseph Lalor Easter evening at Schwartz Ballroom in Hartford, Wisconsin. She related there were no dances during Lent and Easter was the first dance of spring. They married July of 1942. She followed her husband during his training in the army until her pregnancy prevented travel. They were married just short of 52 years. They had 7 living children, with most years spent on East St in Racine, WI. Sue & Bernard retired to Titusville, Florida in 1976. There they enjoyed 18 years of sunshine. Sue remained in Florida for 8 years following the death of her husband, then moved to Tennessee residing with her daughter and son-in-law for 5 years. She relocated to Racine for a brief period, then back to Tennessee for her remaining years.

An avid reader since childhood, Sue was extremely well read in many areas of the literary field. Her favorite book was Louisa May Alcott’s, Little Women. She spoke of frequenting the library as a child and wandering into the boys section of books. She enjoyed reading adventure books that most boys her age were reading. She continued reading throughout adulthood despite raising 7 children and maintaining a home for her family. She gained knowledge of several religious doctrines, exploring the search of a Higher Power. Current politics and history were her forte. Sue never backed down from a political conversation, enthusiastically debating a dissimilar conviction.

She had an insatiable quest for seeking enlightenment of other world cultures regarding not only the political history but also that of ancient and artistic backgrounds. She had taken trips to the British Isles and Europe, especially enjoying the Louvre and Rome. She particularly enjoyed reading about and exploring Civil War battle grounds. She took many trips there accompanied by her son, Dean.

Sue was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Dawna Lee, her husband, Bernard, daughter Katherine Jean (Werla), son Clayton Alan Lalor, son-in-law John E. Brown, daughter-in-law Lura Lalor, grandchild Rebecca Ann Lalor, brothers, Dan, Hugh,Jr., Elmo, Eugene, and Clifford Smith, sister Florence Irene (Smith) Lalor, as well as her parents and best lifetime friend from school, Dorothy Hollenstein.

Sue is survived by her children David B. Lalor New Albany, IN, Dean D. Lalor Racine, WI, Thayne C. Brown Columbia, TN, Patricia L. Lalor, Linus C. (Julie) Lalor, daughter-in-law Nancy Lalor, Marilyn Joyce all of Racine, WI, and sister-in-law Betty (Neu) Smith Titusville, FL. Further surviving are13 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family will be held Friday afternoon September 15th, 4:30 to 6:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Church (1533 Erie St. Racine, WI) followed by a Funeral Mass with Fr. Steve Varghese. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery Saturday, September 16, 11:00 AM. Pallbearers will be grandchildren of Mrs. Lalor, Anthony Lalor, Joseph Lalor, Frederick Roth, Steven Roth, Conor Lalor, and Erin Lalor. A celebration of a life well-lived will be held at The German Club 701 Villa St. in Racine, Wisconsin. Friends and family welcome.

The family would like to thank Dr. Naddy and staff for their years of care, Hospice Compassus for their support and a special thank you to caretaker Kresha Lee.