Suzanne "Suzie" Kerr

Suzanne “Suzie” Sturgis Kerr, 94, of Indianapolis, passed away March 29^th, 2024, in Chandler, Arizona. She had a full, beautiful life and has left a strong legacy through her family, which she cared about most.

Suzie was born September 13^th, 1929, in Bluffton, Indiana to parents Lucille Dye Sturgis and Elmore Deam Sturgis, the youngest of two children. She graduated from Bluffton High School, continued her education at Columbia Women’s College in Columbia, Missouri and then at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. While at Indiana University, she joined the Delta Gamma sorority, which her mother had also been a member, and remained a dedicated member for over 70 years. She was heavily involved in Delta Gamma’s Service for Sight philanthropy performing vision exams in the Indianapolis school system. Her daughters and granddaughters followed her lead and became Delta Gamma’s, which made Suzie immensely proud.

While at Indiana University, Suzie met and married the love of her life, Harry R. Kerr Jr. They shared almost 50 wonderful years together until Harry’s passing in 2001. Together they settled in Indianapolis, where he established an oral surgery practice, they raised their family and established strong roots and friendships within the community. She lived in the home they built, which she loved, for over 50 years. In her younger years, Suzie was a talented tennis player, loved volunteering with Delta Gamma and at local schools. Suzie was an animal lover and had animals of all kinds, dogs, cats and even a parrot. She shared her love through food, as she was a great cook. Suzie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She cherished her family and always wanted updates on how everyone was doing.

 Suzie was a strong, vibrant, loving woman and enjoyed connecting with friends and family. She and Harry enjoyed spending her winters in Vero Beach, Florida near her brother, Jack and his family. She moved permanently to Chandler, Arizona, in 2017, to be close to her daughter’s family and within a week made many friends and became part of her new community.

Suzie is survived by her daughters Karen (Scott) Thomas and Kathleen (Jeff) Cunnington, cherished grandchildren Lauren (Drew) Kroneck, Michael (Lindsey) Thomas, Julia (Josh) Fallon, Regan (Ryan) Miller (Ryan Miller), Reilly Cunnington, and Rory Cunnington, and her beautiful great-grandchildren Rose, Becket, Jack and Avery.

She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Harry R. Kerr Jr., her parents Lucille and Elmore Sturgis, and her brother Jack Sturgis.

Her memorial visitation will be Saturday May 25^th, at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park East, from 1-1:30pm. Her service will begin at 1:30pm. She will be laid to rest at Washington Park East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Valley (Phoenix, Arizona).