In Memory of Sue Lavitchka

Sue Ann Lavitchka passed away on November 17, 2023.  Karen Roberts Brooks was with her when she died and sang her camp song, “Call of the Fire”.  Sue’s camp name was Misti, and she was a CIT in the first half of 1965 and 1966.  She was a cabin counselor from 1967 to 1969.  In 1970, she was a counselor in Kiowa as part of a team with Tab and Flower.  She served as a board member from 2014 to 2018.

Recently, when shown a photo of the Kiowa team, she commented that she could not believe how much she wore that red hat!  She had a bigger than life personality and will be missed!

Stephanie (Emory) Gradinger writes, “I have just learned about the death of Sue Lavitchka, my long-term Bluebird, Camp Fire, Horizon, and Camp Wyandot buddy.  We met when we were seven, in the basement of Johnnie Ackerman’s house.  Sue Ann was a firecracker then, climbing, smiling, wiggling, around; she couldn’t keep still!  We all loved her: Bobbie Ackerman, Karen Roberts, Linda Woodell, Janice Nicklaus, Georgia Brannon, Jan Hardy, Becky Hobbs, Patty Currier, Bonnie Plevel, and me, Stephanie Emory (Tanni), a two-time Wolf and several time Camp Wyandot counselor.

I saw Susie a couple of times when I came back to Columbus, always with Karen and Bobbie in tow.  Once we even made it back to Camp Wyandot, hiking around, flooded with memories of that wonderful place which meant and still means so much to each of us.  Memories of playing ‘Under the Blanket’, being rained out so badly that Mr. Lavitchka drove down to save us from drowning.  Walking across the terrifying ‘Indian bridge’, frying bacon and eggs on a tin can to earn some sort of bead or another, and singing songs about camp, friendships, skies and forests, always and forever. We loved being together, and especially at Camp Wyandot.”

From Call of the Fire: (Sue’s camp song)

“And though we’re far apart,
I’ll hold you in my heart,
Until we meet again,
God keep you safe ‘til then.”