Suzanna Galbary Thompson, lovingly known as Sue, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on January 22, 2026, in Port Charlotte, Florida, at the age of 99 years and 330 days.

Sue was born on February 23, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois, to Anna Strbavy Galbary and John Galbary, and was raised in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, a place she always considered home. She lived through nearly a century of remarkable change—from the Great Depression to the digital age—approaching every decade with grace, resilience, and quiet determination.

An avid reader, Sue had a lifelong love of learning, despite being forced to end her formal education after the ninth grade to help support her family. She began her professional life during WWII as a typist and through years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, worked her way up to the role of Bookkeeper and eventually, an Office Manager—an accomplishment she earned through determination rather than formal schooling.

In 1949, Sue married Kenneth (“Kenny”) J. Thompson, the love of her life. Kenny later passed away from a World War II–related injury, a loss that profoundly shaped Sue’s life. Choosing never to remarry, she went on to raise four children on her own, living a life defined by selflessness, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to her family.

In 1978, Sue made a bold and memorable move from Pennsylvania to Florida, towing a small trailer behind her to escape the cold winters she no longer wished to endure. In the years that followed, three of her four children also made Florida their home, drawn by her example and the life she built there.

Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Kenneth J. Thompson; her daughter, Colleen (John) McCormick; her brother, John Galbary of Coatesville, Pennsylvania; and her parents, Anna and John Galbary.

She is survived by her children, Rebecca (Richard) Torossian, James K. Thompson, and Suellen (Donald) McElroy; and her sister, Anna Galbary Miller. As much as she cherished her children, she held a special place in her heart for her three sons-in-law: John McCormick, Richard Torossian, and Donald McElroy.

She is also survived by four grandchildren—Chris (Jamie) McCormick, Courtney (Cody) Alvarez, Erin Magness, and Brittany (Wesley) Copeland—and eleven great-grandchildren: Reegan, Kinley, Auden, Grant, Leena, Presley, Kelley, Kempton, Eden, Jedidiah, and Tobias. Sue also leaves behind numerous nieces, extended family members, and friends, all of whom were shaped by her example and strengthened by her prayers.

A celebration of Suzanna’s life will be held 9:30AM, Saturday, February 21, at Faith Lutheran Church in Punta Gorda, Florida. What was originally planned as a celebration of her upcoming 100th birthday will now be a joyful remembrance and celebration of her remarkable life.

Her life stands as a testament to the power of faith and endurance. Her life was long, well lived, and deeply loved.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home and Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.