Suzanne “Sue” Lauritano (née Beaudin), 88 years old, died peacefully at her home in Farmington, Maine, after a long illness surrounded by her family on the evening of June 11, 2020. Sue was welcomed into this world on March 16, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois to her loving parents Lawrence and Geraldine (Lorentz) Beaudin. When she was very young her parents moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where she enjoyed an adventure-filled childhood. Sue loved to reminisce about the time she used her jump rope as a bridle, employed her little brother as a look out, and snuck into the nearby farmer’s field to give horse rides to the neighborhood children on the farmer’s horse, all unbeknownst to the farmer. Her family later returned to Chicago, Illinois, where Sue graduated from the Academy of Our Lady (also known as Longwood High School) in 1950, completed secretarial school, and studied at the University of Illinois at Navy Pier. She went on to work as a secretary at Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, an influential architecture firm in Chicago. Sue was a witty, well- read woman who loved to laugh, and she had a loud joyful laugh that could be heard above all others. She loved animals, especially horses and dogs. She enjoyed travel. When she was single, she and a friend spent a year traveling throughout Europe. She made it a priority to take her own family on many trips through the US and Canada. In 1962 she met a dashing ski instructor while on vacation in Vermont. They maintained a long distance romance, and in May of 1964 she married Theodore “Ted” Lauritano. After settling in Illinois, Sue and Ted began to raise their family. Eventually the family moved to Maine, the state in which her husband had grown up. Her children remember their mother as a strong woman who loved them, advocated for them, and instilled in them her belief that they could rise to any challenge. Sue was very involved in her children’s interests and often took on leadership positions in organizations they had joined. When the family moved from Brunswick to Farmington, Maine in 1981, Sue and Ted opened their business, Homestead Carpet, where they both enjoyed serving their community for many years. As Sue and Ted moved toward retirement age, Sue began teaching a Computer Literacy class at the local Maine Adult Education Program. Her work there was fulfilling and she counted many of her colleagues there as good friends. Sue was also an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic church in Farmington for many years.
Sue is survived by her three children: Therese Lauritano of Farmington, Denise Lauritano-Saplywy of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Anthony Lauritano and her daughter-in-law, Susan Seale Lauritano, of Bangor, as well as her grandchildren Bly Lauritano-Werner, Ellie Saplywy, and Sophia Lauritano, her brother, Lawrence and sister-in-law, Margaret Beaudin of Homer Glen, Illinois, and her 2 nieces, eight nephews and their children.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore S. Lauritano, and her parents, Geraldine and Lawrence Beaudin, Sr. of Chicago, Illinois, and her sisters-in law, Mary Hodge of Monroe, Louisiana, Sister Anne Lauritano of Portland, Marcia Hughes of Portland, and Charlotte Lupsha of Augusta.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 133 Middle Street, Farmington, on Wednesday, June 17th at 1pm celebrated by the Reverend Father Paul Dumais. Attendance will be limited to 50. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Franklin County Animal Shelter, 555 Industry Road, Farmington, Maine 04938. Cremation care and memorial services are being cared for and provided by the Wiles Remembrance Center: Adams-McFarlane Chapel 137 Farmington Falls Rd. Farmington. A kind word may be left in her book of memories at www.wilesrc.com