Sue Caps

Carol Sue Caps, known as Sue, was born on June 3, 1935, in Herington, Kansas, in home of her grandparents, Jessie and Royal Smith, with whom she remained very close. She was the daughter of Helen Smith and Loyal Nash. Loyal played baseball in the minor leagues, and Sue always believed her own natural athletic ability came from him.

Although Sue was born in Herington, Abilene became the place that shaped her childhood. She was raised there by her mother, Helen, and Everett Fielder, the man she lovingly called her father.

Growing up in Abilene, a small Kansas town of about 5,000 people, Sue developed both deep roots and a strong desire to see more of the world. In high school, she took shorthand, learned to type, and was a member of the debate team. She won a major state debate tournament, an accomplishment she remained proud of throughout her life. These early skills, her confidence with words, her quick mind, and her practical training, would serve her well for many years.

Sue attended the University of Kansas, where she ran into Wilt Chamberlain a couple of times, a detail she always enjoyed remembering. After college, her adventurous spirit took her first to New York, then to Kansas City, and eventually to Los Angeles. One of her favorite stories from her time in Kansas City was finding herself in an elevator with President Harry Truman when she was just 22 years old. He had been to the dentist and was complaining about his tooth, a small, vivid moment she never forgot.

In Los Angeles, Sue worked as a secretary for Tom Caps, who would later become her husband. They were married on February 4, 1961, at St. Basil’s Catholic Church in Los Angeles. Together they built a family that became the center of Sue’s life. She was the devoted mother of Mike, Jackie, and Julie, and stepmother to John.

The role Sue loved most was being a grandmother. She had 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and she showed up for them with devotion and joy. Whether it was a sporting event, graduation, music recital, Grandparents Day, or simply an ordinary day that mattered, Sue made it a priority to be there. She would hop on a plane to San Francisco or Hawaii, and she especially loved the daily interactions with her grandchildren who lived on Bainbridge Island.

Sue was also involved in her community. She was active at St. Cecilia Parish and proud of the fundraising she did for the parish auction. She also volunteered at Helpline House on Bainbridge Island. She loved bridge, a game she had learned as a young child, and continued to play throughout her life. She stayed active through tennis and exercise classes during her years on Bainbridge Island.

Sue and Tom shared a love of travel and together visited six continents. Of all their adventures, her favorite was a safari in Africa.

Sue was the center of the home. She had a natural way of welcoming people in, whether they were family, longtime friends, neighbors, or someone new at the table. She knew how to create belonging, and that became one of her lasting gifts.

Sue was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Tom Caps.

Sue is survived by her children, Mike Caps (Maria), Jackie Priestley (Jim), Julie Biggers (Ray), and John Caps (Donna); her 10 grandchildren; and her 2 great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved deeply.

A Mass will be held in Sue’s honor on Saturday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Cecilia Parish, 1310 Madison Ave North, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, followed by a reception at Heyday Farm, 4370 Old Mill Road NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.

Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.