On Monday, May 19, 2014, Patricia Ann Tannahill (Cadillac Sue) passed away while living at Prestige at the Orchards. When she met our Lord at heaven's gate, her mother, father, brother and many people whom she loved and loved her were there to welcome her home.
She came stormin' into this world as Patricia Ann Busby on May 29, 1942, in Fayetteville, N.C., to Fred Busby and Nora Sessoms. Little did they know their little girl would go on to be the head of her own harem of seven girls and two strong-willed little boys. Our mother was a true Southern girl, and this is how she received her nickname of Runaround Sue. She was a busybody from the beginning and was ready to take this world by storm at an early age.
Her love of children must have been instilled from the Lord, and she welcomed the first love of her life, her firstborn little boy, Sherbie, at 15. After that, it was a whirlwind of happiness, love and children. Two years later, the love she thought she had for her first little one blossomed when Susie (Brian Luthy) arrived - the first of the harem of seven. For the next five years, she raised Susie and Sherbie in Fayetteville, N.C., some on her own and with a lot of love and help from her grandmother, Maimi Maultsby (December 1996). She welcomed her little beauty, Mary Ellen, in 1964. Sometime within those five years she met the love of her life rollin' up on a Harley while she was working as a car hop. You know the old saying, "everyone loves a man in uniform," well it was love at first sight, and her love affair with Hugh Tannahill (Shirley Tannahill) started. An Army man, stationed at Fort Bragg, was all it took to convince Mom to scoop up the babes and head across the country to good ol' Idaho. They didn't know what was comin', but they sure knew when it hit em'.
Lewiston welcomed the Tannahills home with open arms. Mom gained the most loyal, hard-loving and hard-living family when she married Hugh and quickly started their family together.
The Duke was born in Lewiston in the spring of 1965 and gave hope to Dad and Mom that their family was going to be a plethora of boys and girls, ha, joke's on you! Kim came next in 1966, and her beautiful blue eyes confirmed the legendary "Tannahill blues." Tina Marie, their tiny, tow-headed princess, graced them with her presence in the fall of 1967. Lori (Tommy Shrader, January 2007) came screamin' into her parents' arms in the summer of 1969 and hasn't stopped since. Following their strong-headed girl, came their sweet, dark-haired little momma's girl born in the summer of 1971, Orlean (David Wallace). And last, but definitely not least, came the baby, in the winter of 1973, strong-willed and independent like her Momma, and completing the harem and biological family, Tara Bug. With a family of one boy and seven girls in Idaho, the Tannahills gave Lewiston a run for its money.
Mom worked several different jobs around town and even enrolled in college for two years at Lewis-Clark State College in the nursing program. Her passion in life was to help people, young or old, sick or healthy; she never met a stranger. She called everybody honey, hugged everybody's neck, and had a twinkle in her eye for anyone she ever met. Her short time at the Ace of Hearts in Clarkston is a legend, some say an urban myth. She loved to entertain as much as she loved to help people, so we will leave that up to you.
Mom worked as a certified nursing assistant in her own home for years taking care of the elderly, a lot of them Alzheimer's patients. She was one of the first people in Lewiston to provide in-home care for patients, and she really thrived taking care of and showing others her kindness and love.
She and Hugh parted ways, but not without keeping the love and respect for each other they both deserved. But everyone knows Mom's real, true and unconditional love was for her children. She bore nine of them, but to this day there are many who call her mom, and even more who call her Nanny or Aunt Sue.
After the kids were grown and having their own babies, Mom needed an outlet for her never-ending energy; she didn't get her name Runaround Sue as a child for nothing. Lori's husband was sent to Iraq for Desert Storm, and Mom's love, adoration and respect for our troops started. When she finally got her dream car, a white 1971 Cadillac Coupe, she dedicated the car itself and her time, sweat and tears as a rolling tribute to all of the men and women who died in our latest war, Operation Freedom. I'm sure you've seen her driving it around town, how can you miss it? It had more than 3,000 names of service people who gave their lives for others, American flags, and she never passed up an opportunity to tell you all about it. She was even more dedicated when her two grandsons were sent to defend our country, Chanse Shrader and Dallas Vanhorn. But her love for the troops didn't end or start there. Every person she saw in uniform, with an Army shirt or in red, white and blue, she thanked and hugged their neck. She truly was heaven-sent and tried to give a little inspiration and love to everyone, especially to those who might not have been as lucky as her kids to hear it every day.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The only man who ever held a place in her heart for as long as anyone can remember is Elvis. His songs serenaded the halls of her home, his pictures graced her walls and any kind of knick-knack you can imagine adorned tables, shelves and even her clothes. She even managed to have her last child, Tara, on his birthday. Mom never stayed in one place for long, but it didn't matter. Wherever mom was, it was home, her home, your home, our home, it was Mom.
She is survived by so many people we barely have space to put her (biological) grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so here we go with the grandchildren first, followed by the greats: Kemberly (Scott), Katie, Beau (Amber), Brina, Justice, Rivers, Briar, Rain, Kayla, Karla, Hughston, Hunter, Spencer, Chanse (Red), Hailey, Jamie, Jace, Johnny, Jorah, Janessa, M'Lynn, Saxton, Random, Trulee, Dara (Matt), Dallas, Steven, Abby and Tony.
She is also survived by great-grandkids Brook, Natlie, Ethan, Chambell, Lane, Brilan, Shyne, Kyren, Emma, Joelyn, Samir, Collin, Bailey, Jett, Heath, Jameson, Gunner and, soon to come, Dryden.
While Mom was living at Prestige, the level of care and amount of love she received was insurmountable and surpassed our highest expectations. We cannot express how much we appreciated your kindness toward our mother.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to Prestige at the Orchards, for the purchase of Geri-Chairs for the comfort of patient's families. A special account has been set up with Prestige, and they ask you write "In Memory of Sue Tannahill" in the memo part of the check to Prestige at the Orchards, 1014 Burrell Ave., Lewiston.
A celebration of life service will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 1104 Warner Ave., Lewiston.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Saturday, May 31, 12:00 PM
- Location
-
Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall
1104 Warner Avenue
Lewiston, ID 83501
Get Directions - Additional Details
- A celebration of life service will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 1104 Warner Ave., Lewiston.
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