Suzanne L. (Reich) Kratovil passed away on Sunday, April 8, 2018, just days after her 88th birthday. She was born in Melbourne, FL in 1930, youngest daughter of Walter and Dorothy Reich. She grew up there along the Indian River with her brother Karl and sister Marya, graduating from Melbourne High School. She graduated from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC, majoring in home economics, later becoming a medical transcriptionist.
Her father was an airport design engineer in the early days of aviation which took the family to San Juan, Puerto Rico; South Carolina and Georgia for the development of the Atlanta airport and later to Chicago for overseeing the building of O’Hare airport. Sue met Ed Kratovil in Evanston, IL and they were married on March 29, 1958, living in Evanston until moving to Pinehurst, NC. Travel, snow skiing, little dachshunds and landscaping with camellias, azaleas brought much joy.
She was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church and her Christian faith was central to her life, from baptism to college years with Canterbury Club and continuing actively in parish life and her love of the Lord. In recent years, Sue was a resident at Penick Village where she was a favorite among the staff. Her smile brightened the day and she will be dearly missed by the Penick Village community.
Sue is survived by her nieces and nephews- John (Diane) Reich, Sedona, AZ, David Reich, Jane (Ov) Slayden, Portland, OR and Suzanne (Paul) Opperman, Fargo, ND; great-niece, Sarah Reich, great-nephews Michael Reich, Luke Opperman and Philip Opperman. Her husband, Edward, parents and siblings preceded her in death.
A memorial service and celebration of life will be held 1 pm on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Southern Pines, the Rev. John Talk officiating. Mrs. Kratovil will be laid to rest in the church memorial gardens. Remembrances may be made to Penick Village at PO Box 2001, Southern Pines, NC 28387 or Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 350 Massachusetts Ave., Southern Pines NC 28387. Online guestbook and arrangements entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.
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Online condolences: BolesFuneralHome.com.
Mrs. Kratovil’s family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at Sandhills Sentinel.
