Obituary for Susan "Sue" Elizabeth Lavallee (Heffelfinger)
Susan Elizabeth (Heffelfinger) Lavallee passed away peacefully Friday, April 21, 2023, following an extended battle with cancer.
Susan was born in Indiana PA, March 21 ,1943 to Delbert W and Sara Elizabeth Heffelfinger. The family moved to Fairfax Co. VA, in her earlier years.
Sue, as she wanted to be known, graduated from Annadale High School. She began her first employment with Julius Garfinkel and Son in Washington DC. She started as a department head and later became a buyer for the bridal department. Her clients were often the families of senators and other government personnel.
Following her retail career, she moved to Hollywood, Florida to raise her family and briefly worked in the school system as a Teacher’s Aid and School Crossing Guard. and she then retired to Cookeville TN in 1993.
Susan’s talents were many, sewing, painting in oils and water, fine ink illustration, and both designing and creating fine glasswork by hand. She was the queen of banners and posters. They could be seen at her church, family reunions, and party celebrations. Possibly her best talent was cooking; she could make the occasion so much better with her contributions. Susan loved her garden, flowers, and herbs and often canned a seasonal supply for her meals.
Susan was completely dedicated to her church, Heavenly Host Lutheran Cookeville Tn. She was a loyal servant to her Lord and generously utilized her talents to serve in his house. Her most dedicated service was to the Alter Guild, for which she served for 30 some years. Here she handmade beautiful banners to represent the church seasons and tended to the linens and communion provisions. She compromised many a holiday to attend and assure the Alter was properly prepared.
Susan will be remembered for creating and supervising the Annual Oktoberfest Fund Raising event for church school for many years. An authentic gala German afternoon with polka dancing, food, beer, games, and as always, a fun afternoon!!
She is survived by one son, Mark Lavallee of Hollywood FL, and one daughter, Caroline Oncken of Texas. Two granddaughters: Lynnea Anderson and Sarah Oncken. One Brother; Del Heffelfinger of Cookeville and one sister Sidney Dickerson of Warrenton VA. And many nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to the Alter Guild, Heavenly Host Lutheran Church, Cookeville Tenn.
Friday, May 26th, 2023
Services; Susan Elizabeth Lavallee,
1:00 Interment at Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, 800 West Jackson Street
Pastor McMinn
Welcome family and friends
2:30 pm, Church Service, Heavenly Host Church, 777 Willow Ave, Cookeville TN
Assemble at church building, guest sign in,
Pastor McMinn will lead the church service
Welcome family and friends
3:30 pm, HHLC Services, Pastor McMinn, opportunity for any long-time member or friend to comment.
3:30 / 4:00 – Celebration of Life, HHLC fellow ship hall,
Welcome Family, friends and all
There will be a eulogy to start Sue’s Celebration of Life, following a catered meal will be provided as well as refreshments. Remember Sue’s kindness, her giving way, her love life, her church family, her extended family, The opportunity for all to share our favorite Sue stories with the whole group or one on one, to create and share peace and comfort with Sue’s fellow loved ones, enjoy the goodness of friends / family. There will be a slide show / printed photos, love and uncountable long warm hugs
To sign the online guestbook and send the family a message please visit www.crestlawnmemorial.com
Arrangements entrusted to Crest Lawn Funeral Home.
Susan was born in Indiana PA, March 21 ,1943 to Delbert W and Sara Elizabeth Heffelfinger. The family moved to Fairfax Co. VA, in her earlier years.
Sue, as she wanted to be known, graduated from Annadale High School. She began her first employment with Julius Garfinkel and Son in Washington DC. She started as a department head and later became a buyer for the bridal department. Her clients were often the families of senators and other government personnel.
Following her retail career, she moved to Hollywood, Florida to raise her family and briefly worked in the school system as a Teacher’s Aid and School Crossing Guard. and she then retired to Cookeville TN in 1993.
Susan’s talents were many, sewing, painting in oils and water, fine ink illustration, and both designing and creating fine glasswork by hand. She was the queen of banners and posters. They could be seen at her church, family reunions, and party celebrations. Possibly her best talent was cooking; she could make the occasion so much better with her contributions. Susan loved her garden, flowers, and herbs and often canned a seasonal supply for her meals.
Susan was completely dedicated to her church, Heavenly Host Lutheran Cookeville Tn. She was a loyal servant to her Lord and generously utilized her talents to serve in his house. Her most dedicated service was to the Alter Guild, for which she served for 30 some years. Here she handmade beautiful banners to represent the church seasons and tended to the linens and communion provisions. She compromised many a holiday to attend and assure the Alter was properly prepared.
Susan will be remembered for creating and supervising the Annual Oktoberfest Fund Raising event for church school for many years. An authentic gala German afternoon with polka dancing, food, beer, games, and as always, a fun afternoon!!
She is survived by one son, Mark Lavallee of Hollywood FL, and one daughter, Caroline Oncken of Texas. Two granddaughters: Lynnea Anderson and Sarah Oncken. One Brother; Del Heffelfinger of Cookeville and one sister Sidney Dickerson of Warrenton VA. And many nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to the Alter Guild, Heavenly Host Lutheran Church, Cookeville Tenn.
Friday, May 26th, 2023
Services; Susan Elizabeth Lavallee,
1:00 Interment at Crest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, 800 West Jackson Street
Pastor McMinn
Welcome family and friends
2:30 pm, Church Service, Heavenly Host Church, 777 Willow Ave, Cookeville TN
Assemble at church building, guest sign in,
Pastor McMinn will lead the church service
Welcome family and friends
3:30 pm, HHLC Services, Pastor McMinn, opportunity for any long-time member or friend to comment.
3:30 / 4:00 – Celebration of Life, HHLC fellow ship hall,
Welcome Family, friends and all
There will be a eulogy to start Sue’s Celebration of Life, following a catered meal will be provided as well as refreshments. Remember Sue’s kindness, her giving way, her love life, her church family, her extended family, The opportunity for all to share our favorite Sue stories with the whole group or one on one, to create and share peace and comfort with Sue’s fellow loved ones, enjoy the goodness of friends / family. There will be a slide show / printed photos, love and uncountable long warm hugs
To sign the online guestbook and send the family a message please visit www.crestlawnmemorial.com
Arrangements entrusted to Crest Lawn Funeral Home.