Virginia Sue Eldridge

ELDRIDGE, MATTILA, CHARLTON, MCCALLIE, DYER, HENRICHSON

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 11/23/2012 at 15:00:23

Virginia Sue Eldridge, 78, died November 19 at the Mercy Hospice Care Unit in Iowa City, after stoically defying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for several years.

Sue was a literacy specialist and "sound code breaker," who dedicated her career to teaching the learning disabled. After earning a Master’s in Special Education, she taught at Southeast Junior High, Tipton Elementary, West Liberty Middle School, and also worked for the Women’s Athletic Department and Wendell Johnson Speech & Hearing Clinic at the University of Iowa. Most rewarding to her was the private tutoring she did after she “retired.” From first graders to adults, she was able to achieve results, often where others had given up.

Born in Kokomo, Indiana in 1934, Sue was raised in Indianapolis and met her future husband, Robert Eldridge, in elementary school. They became high school sweethearts at Southport High School (Class of ’52). After marrying in 1955, they had three daughters: Diane Mattila of Iowa City, Brenda Eldridge of Lewis Center, OH, and Karen Eldridge (Tom Charlton) of Houston. The family moved to Iowa City in 1974.

She is also survived by her sister, Janet McCallie (Rev. James) of Nashville, IN, and her brother, Paul Dyer of Franklin, NC, as well as two granddaughters, Amber Mattila and Jadyn Eldridge; and a one-month-old great grandson, Raiden Henrichson-Mattila.

In recognition of her lifelong commitment to literacy, memorial donations may be made to the IC Public Library Foundation, or to Iowa City Hospice, in lieu of flowers.