Marion M. Sundgaard
Formerly of Tewksbury
Marion M. "Cookie" (Sughrue) Sundgaard, age 76, of Acton, ME, formerly of Chelmsford and Tewksbury, passed away peacefully in her home on Dec. 29, 2019 in Bedford, NH.
She is survived by her husband, Roger Sundgaard; daughter Marjon A. Pare of Klamath Falls, OR; son Marc A. Pare and his wife Deidre of Dracut; as well as one grandchild, Luke J. Pare. Marion is also survived by many nieces and nephews and her sisters; Barbara A. Roper and her husband Gerald of Pennsylvania, Julia P. Morris of Maine, Theresa J. Patterson of Maine; and her former spouse, Edward T. Pare of Tewksbury. She is predeceased by siblings Joan M. Dunlevy, Mary E. Burke, John R. Sughrue, and Richard J. Sughrue; and nephews Robert Burke and Barry Dunlevy.
Marion was born in Woburn on May 24, 1943 to the late Richard and Marion (Madden) Sughrue.
She spent her early childhood in Medford before moving to Tewksbury. She graduated high school in 1961 where she excelled at sports and served as an MVP-honored basketball team captain. She eventually settled in Chelmsford where she became a well-known business owner and community volunteer.
She was the owner of the Cookie Sughrue Studio of the Dance and served on the board of directors of Camp Paul.
After studying therapeutic recreation and organizational behavior, she earned both her Bachelor of Science and graduate degrees from Lesley University.
She worked as the manager of corporate training and development for M/A-COM and was the human resources director of The Middlesex Corporation. She eventually founded two consulting businesses, Sun-Aire and Merrimack Valley Training Resources. Marion also served as instructor for several area colleges.
An avid traveler, she enjoyed numerous trips to Europe and spent many seasons in the sunshine of Arizona with her husband, Roger. In retirement, she had more time to enjoy her family lake cottage in Maine where she delighted in cultivating numerous flower pots, cooking delicious breakfasts, hosting large parties on her deck, and watching her grandson Luke water ski.
Calling hours are Friday, January 3rd, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Her funeral procession will begin Saturday, January 4th, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by her Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Williams Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to Camp Paul, 39 Concord Rd., Chelmsford, MA 01824 www.thepaulcenter.org or Compassionate Care ALS, 752 W. Falmouth Hwy, Falmouth, MA 0254 www.ccals.org