Clay 1975 Dorothy Suter

January 30, 1957 - July 7, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Dorothy E. Suter, 59, of South Bend, IN, died at home on July 7, 2016, after a valiant battle with cancer. Dorothy was born on January 30, 1957, to Frank J. and Elizabeth (Wuellner) Suter in South Bend. She was preceded in death by her father in 2006 and her sister, Joanne, in 1965. She is survived by her mother and 12 siblings, Martha of South Bend, Mary of Fayetteville, AR, Jean Suter Hill of Riverside, CA, Nancy of Roseville, MN, Barbara O'Lena (Ron) of Soldotna, AK, Margaret of South Bend, Suzanne Suter-Lowe (Eric) of Pasadena, MD, James (Nia) of Biloxi, MS, Robert (Lisa) of South Bend, Richard (Elizabeth) of Leawood, KS, Jennifer Scott (Jim) of Ft. Collins, CO, and David (Meredith) of South Bend. She is also survived by 19 nieces and nephews, Allison Hill, Carlos and Tony Bossard, Gabriel (Megan), Rosemarie, Jacob, Nathaniel, and Joshua O'Lena, Alexander and Maxwell Suter-Lowe, Courtney (Ray) Kipp and Kyle Suter, Riley and Ryan Suter, Scott, Emma Kate and Henry Suter, Rachel Scott and Zachary Suter.

Dorothy graduated from Clay High School and Purdue University, and then joined the Peace Corps, serving in Zaire for 5 years. On returning, she earned an MBA from Columbia University and worked 18 years for the City of NY. After that she worked in private industry small businesses until moving back to South Bend in 2014.

During her short 22 months in South Bend, she was totally engrossed in her life here. She was graduated from the SPARK program at St. Mary's College into her new career as a life coach. Even as she fought cancer, she led a meditation class at Forever Learning Institute and volunteered at SCORE to mentor other women entrepreneurs.

Dorothy made friends wherever life took her. She had an easy smile and positive attitude that attracted people to her. She spent her life searching for the Truth and wanting to make a difference in the lives of people she met. Mostly, however, she treasured her family and she will be greatly missed.

She fought the good fight against cancer; she managed to bounce back from many setbacks, and even walked two 5Ks, impressing everyone with her fortitude and stamina. In the end, cancer defeated her body, but not her spirit, and she left this world peacefully and gently.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, July 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church. Interment at Highland Cemetery will take place at a later time. Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Thomas, Dr. Ivan Bedoya, the staff on the 10th floor of Memorial Hospital, Melissa Ullery, RN and the staff of the Center for Hospice Care for their loving care and attention during her illness.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hello Gorgeous, 1130 Altgeld Street, South Bend, IN 46614; River Bend Cancer Center, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615; or the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.

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