[NFBWATLK] Sue Ammeter's Obituary

[Merribeth Manning Greenberg]

Sue A Ammeter

Nov, 1948 – April 7, 2018



Sue was born to Don and Delores Anderson in Bremerton, WA in November,
1948. Born blind, Sue made it known from square one that this disability
would not slow her down in life. In fact, Sue chose the opposite direction
and became a nationally known advocate for the blind and all disabled
individuals.

Sue attended the University of Washington and met and married her husband
John of 46 years in Seattle. He was her companion at many of Sue's events,
her driver, personal champion and "the wind beneath Sue's feet." Sue and
John enjoyed many activities in life, including motorcycling, riding in
John's airplane, and much more. While Sue and John had no children, being
dog lovers, they were the proud parents of many dogs during their lives
together. They retired in Port Hadlock, WA near John's family roots. Even
retirement did not slow Sue down; as John says, she spent countless hours
on the phone in conference calls every single month helping others, and
continued to travel and participate in Conventions around the country.

Sue served on the President's Committee which wrote the American
Disabilities Act. Sue's husband John takes great pride and pleasure in
relaying a story of Sue testifying at a Disability trial. With Sue at the
witness stand the opposing attorney asked Sue what qualified her to testify
at this trial. Sue calmly stated that she had served on the President's
Committee and helped author the American Disabilities Act. The attorney's
next words were, "No further questions for this witness."

Sue chaired, served on, and advocated for countless disabled organizations
and individuals throughout the United States. Though there were too many to
list comprehensively, a few notable organizations include: The National
Braille Press, State Rehabilitative Council, Library Patron's Advisory
Council, Washington Council of the Blind, Jefferson County Council of the
Blind, Office of Women's Rights, and Washington State Commission of the
Blind. In addition, Sue traveled throughout the nation and extensively in
Washington State conducting seminars, educating our government in Olympia,
businesses and others, on how to provide for disabled individuals in our
society.

While undergoing breast cancer treatment herself, Sue single-handedly
convinced the American Cancer Society to provide their printed materials on
breast cancer, its treatments, and coping skills in Braille.

There was never a challenge when it came to disabilities that Sue would not
tackle and overcome. Sue was also a gifted listener, a candid mentor,
compassionate friend, and strong champion of disability rights.

A collection of Sue's friends wrote: “Sue’s devotion to the blind and
handicapped is the thing legends are made of” and “it will be a much darker
world without her.” Sue Ammeter definitely lived her life to the fullest
and gave everything she had to advocating for the rights of blind people.
The blind community will miss you Sue, but your legacy will live on in the
lives you touched. Sue's absence will be felt long and far by all whose
lives she touched.

Sue had been hospitalized locally prior to being transferred to Seattle’s
Virginia Mason Medical Center for further testing. Sadly, Sue passed away
in the early hours of Saturday, April 7, due to complications from prior
medical issues.

Sue is survived by her husband John, dog Fraggie, parents Don and Delores
Anderson of Anchorage, sister Judy (Bill), brother Jeff, many extended
family and countless friends.

Charitable donations in Sue’s name can be made to the Pacific Foundation
for Blind Children, 2214 East 13th St., Vancouver, WA 98661 or to the
Washington Talking Book and Braille Library, 2021 9th Ave., Seattle, WA
98121.

All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Life on April 29 at the Best
Western Silverdale Beach Hotel from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.


Beth (Merribeth) (Manning) Greenberg