Suzanne Isabelle McAllister, 89

Suzanne Isabelle McAllister passed away peacefully at Kalispell Regional Medical Center with her family at her side on Feb. 15, 2021.

Suzanne was born in southwest Illinois to Lloyd and Beulah Gaither in 1931. She married Robert E. Bockstruck in 1952 and they made their home in Alton, Illinois. To this union were born three children, Patricia (Dennis) Mossman of Jerseyville, Illinois, Mary (Jeffrey) Wallace of Kalispell, and Robert (Michelle) Bockstruck of Godfrey, Illinois. Suzanne spent their married years as a loving mother and homemaker, and she shared her love of music with her piano students and at area schools. Robert preceded her in death in 1971.

Suzanne continued to raise her three children while attending college pursuing a music degree and she eventually met and married James H. McAllister in 1980. Their marriage lasted until his death in 2001.

She brought lots of love, light and laughter to those she met, and one of her greatest joys was becoming Grandma Susie to not only her own grandchildren, but also becoming an “adopted” grandma to many other local children as well. She enjoyed her music, cooking delicious food for her loved ones, canning and pickling whatever produce she could get her hands on, writing poetry and watching “Jeopardy.” She often volunteered at local elementary schools, for Big Brothers and Sisters, and for the Museum at Central School.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her spouses, and her brother Lloyd H. Gaither.

She is survived by a brother, Myron Gaither, in New Jersey, her three children, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life is being planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to My Glacier Village of Kalispell, or to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flathead County.