Suttmeier is selected for WOW honors

SANDPOINT — “Marguerite is a ‘doer, not a talker’ it has taken me years to find out all the wonderful things she has done for the community.” wrote Cindy Chenault in a letter nominating Marguerite Suttmeier Woman of Wisdom 2016. Also being honored this year are Brenda Hammond, Carolyn Gleason, Leata Judd and Ruth Wimberly.

Born in Detroit, Mich., Marguerite’s family moved 12 years later to Morehead, N.C. There she developed rheumatic fever, which kept her bedridden for a year. Encouraged by her mother, Marguerite began to work on the paint-by-numbers kits, this turned into a lifetime of love of painting, drawing and quilting.

“Marguerite attended Women’s College of the University of North Carolina to pursue her major in art, because her mother felt this was her natural born talent,” Charlene Matheson wrote in her nomination letter. “She graduated, but was not convinced that art was the career she wanted to pursue.”

In 1962 Marguerite became a flight attendant for United Airlines. Marguerite did not take on the fanciful trips to Europe and the like, but instead flew our troops to Vietnam. She watched as these fine young people bright-eyed and full of vigor, returned weary, withdrawn and silent. She was there for them when they needed someone, before the barrage of anti-war protesters arrived.

It was during her time as a flight attendant that she met a very tired young police officer dozing off at a party. She felt sorry for the guy working three jobs and bought him a burger. The rest, as they say, is history - she and husband Tom (and Tom’s son) have been together ever since.

Marguerite’s greatest contributions and achievements have touched the lives of children like Jenny Stout who suffered from cystic fibrosis. Matheson told the story of how this youngster so desperately wanted a horse for Christmas. Through the Make-a-Wish Foundation the Suttmeiers schemed and planned and delivered a prized horse from their ranch in Cocolalla on Christmas day.

Suttmeier has donated paintings to Bonner General Health and is well-known at Community Assistance League for taking handmade “blankies” to the hospital. She sponsors a table at the Angel’s Over Sandpoint tea, and is also supportive of Kinderhaven, and the Quilt Guild. Suttmeier also wrote a chapter for the book titled “Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover’s Soul.”

True to their spirit of unconditional love, Marguerite and Tom adopted a young woman, Julie Fung. They took her under their wing and today Julie is a doctor in the US Army Reserve.

Over the years Marguerite has been able to manage the pains that came from a horrific car accident. She suffered a broken spine, chest and back. Pain continues to rear its ugly each day. Remarkably, this does not damper her outlook; she is still full of humor, laughter and a disconcerting mischievous charm that sucks everyone in!

The 2016 Women of Wisdom will be honored at a Gala Luncheon hosted by the Women Honoring Women Committee on Saturday, June 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Tango Café in the Columbia Bank Building. Contact Diane Stockton for reservations at 208-290-6362 or at stockton_diane@yahoo.com.

To be nominated for Woman of Wisdom, a candidate must be 65 years or older. She demonstrates vision, collaboration, leadership, grace, courage, integrity and is an inspiration to others and an example for future generations of women.

The 2016 Women Honoring Women committee members are: Kari Saccomanno, chair; Diane Arrants; Kathy Chambers; Patti Clemons; Kathy Conger; Barbara Eacret; Phyllis Foro; Deanna Harris; Alana Hatcher; Bette Heffner; Kathy Hubbard; Julie Jurenka; Pat Lewis; Sally Lowry; Laurie Mattila, Jeralyn Mire; Marlene Rorke; Sandy Ross; Patty Schwartz; Joyce Smith; Diane Stockton; Sally Transue and Linda Van Dellen.