Sue Ammeter 1948 - 2018

Sue Ammeter, one of the pillars of the WA Council of the Blind passed away peacefully in her sleep early this past Saturday morning. Apparently she had just recently learned that cancer had recurred and metastasized extensively throughout her body.

Sue will be deeply missed by many. Here are several remembrances.

 

Sue A. Ammeter

Nov, 1948 – April 7, 2018

 

Sue was born to Don and Delores Anderson in Bremerton, WA in November, 1948. Born blind, Sue made it known from square one that this disability would not slow her down in life. In fact, Sue chose the opposite direction and became a nationally known advocate for the blind and all disabled individuals.

Sue attended the University of Washington and met and married her husband John of 46 years in Seattle. He was her companion at many of Sue's events, her driver, personal champion and "the wind beneath Sue's feet." Sue and John enjoyed many activities in life, including motorcycling, riding in John's airplane, and much more. While Sue and John had no children, being dog lovers, they were the proud parents of many dogs during their lives together. They retired in Port Hadlock, WA near John's family roots. Even retirement did not slow Sue down; as John says, she spent countless hours on the phone in conference calls every single month helping others, and continued to travel and participate in Conventions around the country.

Sue served on the President's Committee which wrote the American Disabilities Act. Sue's husband John takes great pride and pleasure in relaying a story of Sue testifying at a Disability trial. With Sue at the witness stand the opposing attorney asked Sue what qualified her to testify at this trial. Sue calmly stated that she had served on the President's Committee and helped author the American Disabilities Act. The attorney's next words were, "No further questions for this witness."

Sue chaired, served on, and advocated for countless disabled organizations and individuals throughout the United States. Though there were too many to list comprehensively, a few notable organizations include: The National Braille Press, State Rehabilitative Council, Library Patron's Advisory Council, Washington Council of the Blind, Jefferson County Council of the Blind, Office of Women's Rights, and Washington State Commission of the Blind. In addition, Sue traveled throughout the nation and extensively in Washington State conducting seminars, educating our government in Olympia, businesses and others, on how to provide for disabled individuals in our society.

While undergoing breast cancer treatment herself, Sue single-handedly convinced the American Cancer Society to provide their printed materials on breast cancer, its treatments, and coping skills in Braille.

There was never a challenge when it came to disabilities that Sue would not tackle and overcome. Sue was also a gifted listener, a candid mentor, compassionate friend, and strong champion of disability rights.

A collection of Sue's friends wrote: “Sue’s devotion to the blind and handicapped is the thing legends are made of” and “it will be a much darker world without her.” Sue Ammeter definitely lived her life to the fullest and gave everything she had to advocating for the rights of blind people. The blind community will miss you Sue, but your legacy will live on in the lives you touched. Sue's absence will be felt long and far by all whose lives she touched.

Sue had been hospitalized locally prior to being transferred to Seattle’s Virginia Mason Medical Center for further testing. Sadly, Sue passed away in the early hours of Saturday, April 7, due to complications from prior medical issues.

Sue is survived by her husband John, dog Fraggie, parents Don and Delores Anderson of Anchorage, sister Judy (Bill), brother Jeff, many extended family and countless friends.

Charitable donations in Sue’s name can be made to the Pacific Foundation for Blind Children, 2214 East 13th St., Vancouver, WA 98661 or to the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, 2021 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98121.

All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life on April 29 at the Best Western Silverdale Beach Hotel from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

 

From: Durand, LouOma (DSB)

Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2018 5:58 PM

Subject: Sue Ammeter

 

This is to let you all know that our dear friend, colleague and leader, Sue Ammeter, passed away on Saturday.  For over 40 years, Sue has been a force in the civil rights movement both in our state and nationally, a huge advocate for our agency, for our community, and personally for those

who sought her wise counsel and support.  Sue most recently served as Chair of the State Rehabilitation Council for DSB.  I so valued her critical and strategic thinking.

Any of you who have had the privilege of Sue's company know what a vibrant, engaged, and provocative spirit she has been in our lives. We will miss Sue enormously!

 

 

 

 

 

“We have lost a WCB icon and our primary historian.  She will be greatly missed.”

 Denise Colley, President, WA Council of the Blind.

 

 

Yes, very much a loss for the blind community, particularly to those of us in Washington State. Thank you Sue for your tireless support, advocacy and absolute passion that persons who are blind received equal rights and equal access to every aspect of society.  Sue, may you rest in peace

 Julie Brannon, Seattle

 

 

 

From: Cindy Van Winkle

 

Life is so short! We never know when, we just never know. But Sue Ammeter definitely lived life to the fullest and gave herself, everything she had, to advocating for the rights of people who are blind. She made an impact on many, whether were friends or not, in Washington and throughout the United States. The blind community Will miss you Sue but your legacy will live on in the lives you touched . I know because I am one of them.

 

Cindy Van Winkle

 

 

 

From: Carl Jarvis

Dear Friends,

How are we supposed to tuck a lifetime(nearly 50 years)of steadfast commitment to raising the standard of life for blind people, into one short, tear stained message.

 

Already such messages are flooding the WCB List, expressing shock, sorrow and the personal notes of our memories of the last time we spoke with Sue. But as much as we need to tell our own stories, and to read those of our friends, Sue Ammeter's death will impact our entire Blind Movement. from her current JCCB presidency, to her years of service on the SRC(State Rehabilitation Council), and the PAC(Patron's Advisory Council); to her major role in bringing together, and providing leadership in the merger of the WCB and the UBWS, into our current, strong Washington Council of the Blind., the name of Sue Ammeter has become woven into the very fabric of this Organization. and it will be some while before we realize just what an important loss we have suffered.

 

For me, it is a 50 year long memory.  From that day when a brash young 18 year old blind student brushed past me and took her seat in our Criminology Class, to the many years of standing beside her in one struggle after another, while watching her grow tough as a Blind Advocate, to her many contributions as a wise states person.  And of course those were just her activities as a volunteer.  Her "real job" took her to positions with the Office of Women's Rights, to the Human

Rights Commission, and the Washington State Commission for the Blind, and to the Seattle Office of Human Rights.

 

But mostly I will spend the next bit of time wrapped in my own personal memories of Sue.  And when I am done, it will be quite evident to me that while Sue is physically no longer among us, Sue

will be part of our lives forever.Thank you Sue, for all you have done, and for having given of yourself

so unselfishly.

 

I do love you, and I do already miss your counsel.

 

Carl Jarvis

Jefferson County

 

 

 

I would like to add my voice to the things that Carl and Cindy have said about Sue. 

I first met her in a classroom at the UofW in the fall of 1969.  It was at a meeting of the newly formed youth group for WSAB Sue was just a visitor that Day and didn't get elected to any office, but she made her presents known to all of us there.  The next summer the WSAB had it's 1970 convention in Greys Harbor.  She was elected First Vice President of WSAB at that time.  I think

she was still Sue Anderson at that time.  Her accomplishments and

recognition in the fields of advocacy and civil rights for blind people are

well chronicled throughout WCB's history. 

 

As a long time close friend and admirer of what she accomplished, I say thank you Sue and sip that heavenly scotch real slow. 

 

Berl Colley, Olympia

 

 

 

 

I'd like to add, also.

Sue taught me how difficult things can get, when advocating for the blind. Despite the challenges, I remember how the Advocacy committee worked their/our tails off, when I was a member.

When I'd call after my time in the committee, she'd tell me: "You know what to do, so do it!"

Yeah, she was tough on us, but, it made me a better advocate. Sue, I will really miss you!  You made the best Rum and Diet Cokes, ever!

Debbie, my friend who comes with me sometimes, also said she really appreciated Sue, and the work she saw.  Debbie only saw a tiny bit of what sue did.  However, she was quite impressed.

Sue, you are missed!

Sarah Edick, Tacoma

 

(Darryl Roberts) wants you all to know, in case you might not be on the WCB list, that WCB has lost an icon and stalwart force in the blind community.  Sue Ammeter died early yesterday morning unexpectedly. Her knowledge, passion for advocacy and lifetime of giving of herself to blind persons will be a tremendous loss.

Darryl Roberts

President, United Blind of Seattle.