Evelyn Sum

Evelyn Lindstra Sum, 92, of Bluffton, SC, formerly of Salamanca, NY and Ellicottville, NY died Saturday, August 4, 2018 at her home in Bluffton following a long illness.

Born April 30, 1926 in Mount Greenwood, IL, she was the daughter of the late John and Fanje Lindstra. She was married May 9, 1953 in Chicago, IL to Dr. Paul W. Sum. They were married for 58 years until Dr. Sum’s death on December 8, 2011.

Evelyn graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago in February 1944. She is also a graduate of the Fox Secretarial College in Oak Lawn, IL. She met her future husband, Dr. Paul W. Sum while working as a medical secretary at Roseland Community Hospital in Chicago. After they were married, they lived in Chicago, Augsburg, Germany, Mt. Vernon, NY, Loundonville, NY, Salamanca, NY and Ellicottville, NY. When she and her husband retired, they moved to Bluffton, SC where they spent the remainder of their years.

While living in Salamanca, Evelyn was an active member of the United Congregational Methodist Church, taught Sunday School, and served on various committees. She was a past board member of the Rehabilitation Center. Evelyn was an avid golfer and was a member of Elkdale Country Club, and past president of the Ladies of Elkdale. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, worked with the Girl Scouts, and did hospital visits. She was an avid skier.

While living in Bluffton, SC, Evelyn loved watching her daughter, Jane-O participate in Special Olympics Bowling. Evelyn’s generous donations helped the team travel to several tournaments in cities such as Las Vegas, NV and Syracuse, NY. She was a member of Freedom Life Church, volunteered at local homeschool groups and Programs for Exceptional People (PEP). While residing in Sun City Hilton Head, SC, Evelyn started the Euchre Club that has grown to over 200 members.

Evelyn’s pastimes included golfing, swimming, going to plays, and several trips to Disney World with her daughter Jane-O. Evelyn was very social; she loved parties and dining out. No one was ever a stranger to her. She loved being involved in and enjoyed hearing about her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. She loved to play board games and cards and she was a master at telling jokes. She possessed a witty and fun sense of humor. She loved gardening and keeping houseplants. She had the greenest of green thumbs. She was a great cook and had a passion to serve others. She was always willing to listen to her kids in every situation. She was loved and will be missed by all who knew her.

Surviving are: five children, Suzy (Paul) Stetz, Salamanca, NY, Cyndy (Greg) Ford, Bluffton, SC, Rob (Rosie) Sum, Springboro, OH, Jay (Robin) Sum, Olive Branch, MS, and Beverly Jane “Jane-O” Sum, Bluffton, SC; seven grandchildren, Havilah (Jordan) Whetstone, Irene (Dusty) Marsh, Olivia Stetz, Emma (Alex) Prenger, Emily Sum, Jennifer Ford, and Nathan Sum; two great-grandchildren Evadene Jane Whetstone and Olin David Whetstone; a sister, Anita (John) Van Ryn, Midlothian, IL; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Andrew Lindstra, Jacob Lindstra, Henry Lindstra, Grace Morrow, and Jeanette Lucas, and two grandchildren, Julie Suzanne Stetz and Haley Elizabeth Sum.

A memorial service and celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held on Sunday, September 2, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Grace Coastal Church 15 Williams Drive, Bluffton, SC.

Burial will be in the Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary St. Beaufort, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Programs for Exceptional People (PEP), 39 Sheridan Park Circle, Bluffton, SC 29910, the Bluffton Youth Theatre, 2026 Blakers Blvd., Bluffton, SC 29909, the Salamanca Public Library, 155 Wildwood Ave, Salamanca, NY 14779, or to the Ellicottville Memorial Library, 6499 Maples Rd, Ellicottville, NY 14731.