Suzi Reese

July 27, 1947 - June 28, 2020

Suzanne Reese, 72, of Long Lake, IL passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2020. Suzi was born in Evanston, IL on July 27, 1947, the daughter of the late Wesley and Eileen Wigginton. She grew up in Kenilworth, was a graduate of New Trier High School and attended the University of Missouri. Suzi’s family would spend their summers at Long Lake, competing in sailboat races with the Long Lake Yacht Club. Suzi also sailed in regattas at other lakes which led to her meeting Norm Reese at Pistakee Lake. They were married on August 9, 1969. Suzi was a staunch advocate for all sailing, but especially youth sailing. She worked tirelessly for many sailing organizations including the Inland Lake Yachting Association (ILYA) and the United States Optimist Dinghy Association. She was a talented skipper, crew, race committee member and regatta organizer. Suzi was the first female commodore of both the Long Lake Yacht Club and the ILYA. Off the water, Suzi was a dedicated volunteer for the Infant Welfare Society. She was an avid tennis player and enjoyed having fun with her grandkids, spending winters in Miami and betting people M&Ms. She is survived by her daughters Katie (Dave) Bandstra and Kelly (Mike) Hirn; grandchildren Ellie and Reid; siblings Molly (Bill) Hibbard and Wesley Wigginton; and nieces and nephews Mary Beth Zollars, Jean Anne Zollars, Bill Zollars, Robyn Higginbotham, Wesley Mottlau and Tim Mottlau. She was preceded in death by her husband Norman, brother Jimmy and by her nephew Brian Stothart. A memorial boat parade will be live streamed on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 5 p.m. If you would like to follow the live stream, follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1661418390700896/ In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Suzi’s memory to the Infant Welfare Society of Evanston (https://www.iwse.org/giving) or to the Long Lake Improvement and Sanitation Association, PO Box 175, Ingleside, IL 60041.