Obituary of Ethyle McHugh

Ethyle Arlyne "Sue" McHugh passed away at home of natural causes on Friday, August 26, 2011. A celebration of Sue's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 2, at Summers Funeral Home, Boise Chapel. Sue was born on November 15, 1927, the second daughter of John and Ethel Kolsrud, in Minneapolis, MN. Born Ethyle Arlyne, the neighbor boys on 4th Avenue South in Great Falls, MT, nicknamed her Susie, and the name stuck. She graduated from Great Falls High School in 1945, married Tom McHugh, and moved to San Jose, CA, in 1947. Tom's work moved them to Boise in 1950. Sue loved being around people and gravitated toward employment that kept her engaged in conversation and social activities. She liked to tell of her first job as a soda jerk in Great Falls. In Boise, she returned to work at the Boise Bowling Center. When living in Reno, NV, she worked as a waitress and finished her career as an associate at JC Penneys. Upon retirement, she and Tom moved back to Boise, the place they considered home. A gifted athlete, Sue excelled in synchronized swimming, golf, and especially bowling. She was proud to have spent many years on the Boise City High Five bowling team and to have won the Boise City Scratch All-Events Championship. She was more artistic than people would have expected. In concert with her sisters, she produced beautiful ceramic dolls and intricate, complex quilts. She had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing in public, first in a Great Falls swing band and later at banquets sponsored by her bowling organizations. Her artistry and eagerness to create extended to the kitchen. She loved to feed people and enjoyed the planning, preparation, and presentation of meals. Her children learned from her and Tom the value of a strong work ethic, fairness, responsibility, and devotion to family. They also learned the importance of a keen sense of humor and spontaneous laughter. Sue is survived by her sons, Patrick, and his wife Alana, of Boise, and Dennis, and his wife Kathy, of Puyallup, Wash; her daughters, Kellie, and her husband Jason, of Boise, and Kerrie, and her husband Fletcher, of Boise; her sisters, Donna, and her husband Don, of Tucson, AZ, and Marlys of Great Falls, MT; her grandchildren, Molli, Kristin, Aaron, Cory, Amber, Keyasa, Taylre, Micah, Chloe, Sean, Julia, and Megan; and her great-granddaughter, Kayden. Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, and sister, Oline. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be given to a charity of choice.