Elizabeth Sutyak's Obituary
Elizabeth (Betty) Sutyak née Kover, age 99 1/2, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away peacefully
on Monday, July 4, 2022 at home. Betty was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 16, 1922 to
the late John and Elizabeth (née Balogh) Kover. She graduated from John Hay High School in
Cleveland in 1940 and married Joseph Sutyak at St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church in
Cleveland on February 17, 1957. Betty worked as a secretary in the insurance industry for
seventeen years before getting married and choosing to stay home to be with her children. She
finished her career as the secretary to the finance director of the city of University Heights after
her daughters graduated from high school. Betty truly loved being a wife and mother, and was
renowned for her cooking and baking skills, especially her cherry-nut cake. She adored her
children and grandchildren and enjoyed watching their athletic events, where she would always
be sure to cross all her fingers and toes to bring them good luck! Their success in sports wasn’t
due to any luck, though—Betty was a talented bowler and athlete in her own right! She had
many fond memories from being a member of the Tuesday Club in Burton, Ohio, where she and
Joe lived for over 40 years. She cherished spending time with her family and close friends, as
well as her brothers’ and sisters’ families—from cookouts and fish fries in Burton to picnics at
Ledge Lake to lively Christmas celebrations, Betty was always surrounded by those she loved.
She was a member of Archangel Michael Orthodox Church her entire life and spoke fondly of all
the years she sang in the choir. Betty was active in community activities as a member of the “R”
Club, Women’s Club, and 55+ Club. She had a kind word for everyone she met, and made sure
she said thank you with a smile to all who helped her. Betty is survived by her sister Marie
Choma, daughters Nadine (Don) Palmer, Natalie (Garry) Watkins and Chelle Sutyak (Ravi
Sikand), grandchildren Ashley (Scott) Lee, Brett (Niki), Irina, Jessi and Shea Palmer, Julia
(Matt) Cotiguala, Robert (Ashtan), Emma Elizabeth, and Joseph Watkins, and Shauna Sikand
(Fraser Linklater), great-grandchildren Blake Fountain, Briana and Arianna Palmer, and Alex
and Chloe Lee, as well as her many loving nieces and nephews and their families. She is
predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Joe, and her siblings John (Betty) Kover, Ann
(Andrew) Ladygo, Joseph Kover, Helen (George) Lottig, Andrew (Barbara) Kover, Margaret
(Michael) Voloschuk, and Albert (Marlene) Kover. The family wishes to thank the staff at
Danbury Senior Living Westerville for being a part of Betty’s family for the past nine years and
thanks Amy, Brittany, and Melanie of Capital City Hospice for providing loving care to Betty
during the past year. A special thank you to the sweet staff at Panera Bread for always sending
Betty kind messages along with her favorite coffee! Orthodox Burial Service will be held at
Archangel Michael Orthodox Church, 5025 E. Mill Road, Broadview Heights, OH 44147 on
Monday, July 11, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. John Memorich officiating. Live streaming
available at www.stmichaelscleveland.org/livestreaming. Interment at St. Theodosius Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to support the choir at Archangel
Michael Orthodox Church.
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