Sue Barracano Passed Away on May 10, 2010
Sue BarracanoSue Barracano, a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma passed on May 10, 2010.
She was born on September 12, 1923 to Wortie May (Turner) and Charles H. Barlow in Okmulgee, OK. At an early age, she moved to Southwest Missouri where she graduated from Noesho High School and Joplin Junior College. She then went to work as a civil service employee at Camp Crowder. It was there that she met Henry (Hank) Barracano, a G. I. from Brooklyn.
Shortly after World War II ended, they were married. They moved to State College, PA so that Hank could finish his degree in Electrical Engineering at Penn State. During this period, their first child, a son, Ralph (Butch) was born. After Hank received his degree, they moved to Tulsa, OK.
While there, she was involved in church work, was a Cub Scout Den mother, and played bridge, all this while raising her family which was increased by the birth of her two daughters, Susan and Linda.
In 1956, she began her 27 year long adventure. Hank accepted a job with the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO). During that period, the family lived in New York, Saudi Arabia, London and Beirut. She travelled widely and in 1992 became one of the few people to have set foot on all seven continents when she visited Antarctica.
After she and Hank retired from ARAMCO in 1983, they moved to Houston. She became active in many areas. She was an avid volunteer at Cy-Fair Hospital for 25 years. She loved playing bridge, especially with her friends at Northgate Country Club. She was very active in church activities at Northwoods Presbyterian Church, where she was a member of the Susie Sadler Circle and a founder of the Golden Gathering.
Her sister, Mary, predeceased her.
Surviving her are: her husband, Hank, of Houston; a son, Ralph, of Ceret, France; two daughters, Susan Ratterree of New Orleans, LA and Linda Swartz of Sarasota, FL; a granddaughter, Sky Headland (husband Matt) of Whitinsville, MA; two grandsons, Leclare Ratterree of New York, NY and Tyler Swartz of Jacksonville, FL; and a great-grandson, Levi Headland of Whitinsville, MA. In addition, she leaves many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home (Westheimer at Dairy Ashford) from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, May 14, 2010. There will be a private entombment, attended by family members only. A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, May 17, 2010 at Northwoods Presbyterian Church, 3320 FM 1960 (near T.C. Jester).
In lieu of flowers, donation in Sue's memory may be made to Covenant House, Fairview Station, P.O. Box 66330, Houston, TX 77266-6330; The Carter Center for Peace, One Copenhill Avenue, P.O. Box 47339, Atlanta, GA 30362-9806; Odyssey VistaCare Hospice Foundation, 717 N. Harwood Street, Suite 1500 Dallas, TX 75201; The CFMC Auxiliary, 10655 Steepletop, Houston, TX 77065; or any charity of your choice.
Published in Houston Chronicle on May 13, 2010.