A devoted mother and pet-sitter who earned the affections of a phalanx of Perrysburg’s cats and dogs, Suzanne “Sue” Grossmann, 66, died Monday, June 6, 2022.
Sue was born in Toledo and graduated from DeVilbiss High School and the University of Toledo, where she began dating the man who became her husband of 41 years, Frederick William Grossmann III.
Her daughter, Gretchen, was born in 1984 and her son, Will, in 1990. Sue chose to abandon a career and dedicate herself to raising the two children. So committed to the mission was she that she even turned into a hockey mom. Later, she became the proud grandmother of Gretchen’s daughter, Nellie Sutherland.
As her children grew older, Sue focused on caring for animals, her own and others. Her love of animals began early: as a teenage counselor at a camp run by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in southern Michigan, she adopted a black labrador puppy, whom she named Hemlock, after the camp. The dog followed her from her parents’ home in Toledo to her marital home in Perrysburg, where she assem ∏bled a feline menagerie. Her daughter brought home barnyard cats from a stable where she worked, and Sue and Fred took in strays that they found on the street or who appeared on their doorstep.
This made her a receptive audience when a friend asked her to watch a pet while she was away. Her pet-sitting business was born, and her furry flock came to include the large and the small, the friendly and the stand-offish, the rambunctious and the sedate. Both she and her canine clients especially looked forward to romps through the W. W. Knight Nature Preserve in Perrysburg.
In addition to her pet-sitting business, Sue served for many years as an official at local high school track meets. She was introduced to the sport by her father, Chet Sullwold, the former executive sports editor of the Blade, and the two of them often could be found together at events, he at the scorer’s table and she at the finish line.
In addition to her husband, children and granddaughter, Sue is survived by her brother, Robert Sullwold of Alameda, California, and her sister, Katherine Moschetti of Perrysburg.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a sharing of memories beginning at 1 p.m., at the Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 South Reynolds Road, Toledo. An informal get-together at the W.W. Knight Preserve in Perrysburg will follow from 4 to 7 p.m., with leashed pets encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Sue’s memory to the Wood County Humane Society and the 577 Foundation. Please view Sue’s memorial video tribute and leave a condolence message for the family at Coyle FuneralHome.com.