Sue Ann Deer Gootee
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on August 19, 2013. One of nine siblings, Sue was born to Russell and Anna Deer in Indianapolis on August 25, 1932-- "a few years after the Pilgrims landed" as she often quipped when asked for her birth date. She grew up on the near eastside and graduated from Arsenal Technical High School.
In 1951, she married Burdean Joseph Gootee. They had two sons, Brian and Bruce, and enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage until Deany's death in 2011. Sue loved children and was a cherished "Aunt Susie" to her numerous nieces and nephews. She was also a beloved teaching assistant to scores of students in the Indianapolis Public Schools until her retirement in 1993. After her retirement, Sue continued to help others as a volunteer in the parish office at Community East Hospital. One of her other passions was music, which she fulfilled as a member of the choir at Holy Spirit.
Sue was preceded in death by her sister Betty Suter and brothers: James, Gene and Donald Deer. She is survived by her sons Brian Gootee and Bruce Gootee; sister Shirley Neeley, brother Russell Deer and his wife Mary Ruth, brother Larry Deer and his wife Betty, and brother David Deer; sister-in-law Carol Deer and her daughter Dawn Stoops, who were devoted caregivers to Sue during her final weeks; and sisters-in-law Clara Gootee, Marjorie Gootee, and Sister Ann Jeanette Gootee.
Wife, mother, sister, favorite aunt, and friend to all—Sue Gootee will be deeply missed.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to noon Friday, August 23, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at the Church of the Holy Spirit on East 10th Street and burial at Washington Park East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sue's memory may be made to the church or Riley Children's Hospital.