Shirley Ann Suite

Shirley Ann Suite, 85 and a half, of Bushwood, Maryland, passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Shirley was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s County, Maryland and was Seventh District through and through. She was born on November 9, 1938, in Chaptico, Maryland, to the late William “Dusty” Albert Graves and Mary “Sally” Violet (Hayden) Graves. Shirley married the love of her life Andrew “Andy Gumps” Raymond Suite on June 8, 1963, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, Maryland. They immediately moved into a home in Bushwood where Shirley resided until the time of her passing. Together they celebrated 27 years of marriage until Andy’s passing after a lengthy illness on October 26, 1990. Her love and devotion for Andy was conveyed each and every day as she stood by his side during his illness. From their loving marriage came three children, Joseph “Joey” Leon Suite (Stacey) of Avenue, Maryland, Robert “Bobby” Andrew Suite (Jennifer) of Bushwood, Maryland, and Mary “Chrissy” Christine Mills (David) of Leonardtown, Maryland. Shirley is also survived by her two granddaughters, Kimberly Elizabeth (Suite) Orofino (Phil) of Mandeville, Louisiana and Brooke McKenzie Mills of Leonardtown Maryland. Shirley is also survived by her sister, Catherine “Cathy” Owen (Charles) of Lusby, Maryland. In addition to her parents and her husband, Shirley was also preceded in death by her siblings, William Morris “Snookie” Graves (Shirley), Bernard “Buster” Graves (Theresa), Mary Ethel Oliver (Harry), Albert Ignatius “Billy” Graves (Alice), Guinette Alberta Bean (Jackie), Ella Christine Graves, Annie “Ann” Elizabeth Ridgell ( Larry “Orem”), her beloved niece, Deborah Jenkins, and beloved nephews, Michael Graves and James Francis Morgan. Shirley lived for her family. In her teenage years, she lovingly cared for her sister, Christine, and met her every need. She loved to cook and held frequent cookouts with her closest family and friends. Shirley shared her passion for wrestling with her late sister, Ann, and together they cheered on their favorite wrestlers. She also took many trips with her sister, Cathy, and brother-in-law, Charles. They shared many memories and lots of laughs together. Shirley worked most of her life and was no stranger to hard work. Those little hands of hers worked non-stop; they did everything, including working on a farm, waitressing, babysitting her grandchild, and shucking clams at Capt. Sam Bailey’s Shuckhouse. Shirley also worked at St Mary’s Nursing Center for 10 years prior to her official retirement. Many times, you could find Shirley in her kitchen either talking on the phone to one of her sisters, playing pitch, picking crabs, or making up a batch of crabcakes to share with others. Shirley had a heart of gold and would literally give you the shirt off her back. She was dedicated to her friends and family and would quickly jump into defense mode like no other. The family extends their sincere thanks to Hospice of the Chesapeake as well as her sister, Cathy, and brother-in-law, Charles, who graciously opened their home to Shirley and cared for her in her final days. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bushwood, MD, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Father Kevin Fields officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Wayne Oliver, Gary Oliver, Craig Oliver, Shawn Marlow, Brandon Marlow, and Mike Lacey. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Dusty Ridgell, Dustin Ridgell, and Joseph Friess. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to A Community that Shares (ACTS), P.O. Box 54, Bushwood, MD 20618, and/or the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 7, Avenue, MD 20609. Condolences may be made to the family at www.mgfh.com. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.