Sue Ellen Barber, lovingly known to those around her as Suzy, peacefully passed away on Friday, July 12th, 2024, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Suzy was born on May 2nd, 1946 in Bloomington, IL. After college, she married the love of her life Bruce Barber, and their adventure began. Bruce and Suzy moved to East Lansing, Michigan where Suzy spent the next 15 years working as an Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Family Practice at Michigan State University. She became an avid Spartan fan, especially basketball. She also took on her favorite role, becoming a mom to their children Christine and Greg.
In 1984, Bruce and Suzy decided to trade in their snowshoes for flipflops and moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, which was the perfect place for their young family. Suzy loved walking on the beach and finding sharks’ teeth, tandem bike rides, traveling to the Keys, and opening up their home to family and friends. She also landed her dream job and dedicated over 30 years to the PGA Tour, where she served as Manager of Competitions & Membership at The Champions Tour. Suzy built amazing friendships with her colleagues at the Tour, various Tournament Directors, the Senior Tour Golfers as well as their families, and traveled to many amazing golf tournaments throughout the United States. The PGA TOUR Champions Tournament Association annually presents the Bruno Award, named in Brian “Bruno” Henning's honor, to an individual or organization who has made outstanding contributions to the Tour, and Suzy was the first female recipient of this award.
To know Suzy was to love her. Her infectious smile, outgoing personality, and amazing outlook on life touched everyone around her. She was always up for an adventure, especially if it included family. Her 60-year relationship with Bruce was and continues to be an inspiration to others. Suzy was an exemplary role model to her children and grandchildren. Her fun-loving attitude made her the best “Mimi” her grandchildren could ask for. She never missed a chance to spend time with them and was their biggest cheerleader. Suzy’s positive outlook on life and strength exuded to the very end.
Suzy is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bruce; her daughter Chris, her husband Steve and their two daughters Kyleigh and Addison; her son Greg and his two sons Austin and Asher; her sister Judy Miller; lifelong friend Judy Winquist; multiple nieces and nephews; and many other friends and family members who will miss her dearly.
“Suzy’s life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, she is loved beyond words, and missed beyond measure.”
