Sue Ann Gaddy's Obituary
Never has there been more beauty, strength, and resilience packed into a 5 foot frame.
Born in Broken Arrow, OK, Sue Ann grew up on a farm shared with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents that provided the basis of how important family would be throughout her life. She was a beauty queen with unmatched tenacity, passion, and spirit. Anyone assuming her diminutive stature was indicative of her strength would quickly realize their error in judgment.
After graduating from Union High School in 1966, she studied psychology at NSU in Tahlequah then found her passion in cosmetology. She built an amazing career helping people look and feel beautiful. Her body of work was much greater than transforming hair. She was a trusted confidant to thousands of women before Covid forced her to retire in 2020.
Sue Ann’s entire life was spent making sure those she loved had a safe place with her. Whether helping take care of her dad and brother during her youth, caring for her nephew during her teens and twenties, or making sure her friends were safe during wild nights in the 60s & 70s, everyone knew that Sue Ann would be the person you could always count on.
Sue Ann fulfilled her lifelong calling by welcoming children of her own, and with motherhood, her instinct to love and protect only became more fierce. Balancing motherhood with being the co-owner of a business and the caretaker of the household, she perpetually put her family’s needs before her own and found immense joy in living vicariously through their successes.
She was a relentless advocate and champion for her kids. She beamed with pride at every accomplishment, every victory, every graduation, and every promotion. She fiercely and unapologetically supported her children. She let them make mistakes and find their own path, but was always there to provide a soft landing spot if things didn’t go as planned. She would let you cry, complain, yell, vent, or whatever else you needed. Her unconditional love and never-ending patience confirmed that no matter what, she would always be by our side.
That same love was given to her extended circle, especially the friends of all of her kids needing a safe place from home, a pantry to raid, or a non-judgmental pearl of wisdom. She had a special way of making one feel seen, heard, supported, and included.
Sue Ann’s world became complete when she became Bop Bop, the name bestowed upon her by her grandson Sam. There was nothing that made her smile like being surrounded by the laughter, chaos, and love that she shared with Sam, Jonah, and Audrey. Becoming Bop Bop was her ultimate evolution, spoiling and doting on them every chance she had. Seeing them together was pure joy from all involved. The love they had for each other was felt in every embrace, seen in every smile, heard with every cheer.
We will all miss the long talks about life, all of the playful pinches when we ribbed her, all of the wisdom and jokes, and even the disapproving scoffs when we weren’t operating at our potential.
She was a perpetual mirror, reflecting the best of you back to yourself, encouraging you to find strength in your character and helping you find a path forward. (She was the ever-present bridge between relationships as the only way her world was round was if all the connections from her were intact and without distress). In simplest form, her love is the foundation in each of us and it will be the pillar we will need to adapt to a life without her. Her gifts were plentiful and her goodness will continue in each of us that were lucky enough to be loved by her.
Sue Ann is survived by daughter Ashley Gaddy of O’Fallon, MO, sons Ian Gaddy of Tulsa, OK, and Grant Gaddy of Austin, TX, and step-daughter Shari Dabby of Tenafly, NJ, as well as grandchildren Sam, Jonah, and Audrey, as well as Peyton, Wyatt, and Eli.
A celebration of Sue's life will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 3PM at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with Brandon McCombs officiating. For those who would like to pay their respects to Sue, a small viewing time will be held before the service from 2PM till 2:45PM.
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