Obituary for Sue Ellen Ackerson (Broadus)
Sue Ellen Broadus Ackerson
August 1, 1934 - December 28, 2020
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Sue Ellen Ackerson; a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and caring friend to all of her family and friends.
Sue Ellen was born in Louisville to George and Sue Reedy Broadus on August 1, 1934, where she grew up and lived most of her life. Her father was a renowned attorney and judge and her mother was an accomplished bridge player.
Sue Ellen attended Sacred Heart Academy where she excelled at field hockey and graduated in 1951. She attended the University of Louisville and graduated in 1955. At U of L, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi and many other clubs and organizations.
She married Robert L. (Bob) Ackerson on July 9, 1955 at St. James Catholic Church and were married 53 years before his death in 2008. Sue Ellen and Bob first met while attending a U of L basketball game and she remained an avid Cardinal fan with her lifetime support of academics and athletics at UofL.
In 2009, Sue Ellen decided to honor her late husband, a prominent Louisville attorney, with the creation of the Robert and Sue Ellen Law Clinic at the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
Since its founding, the clinic has done pro bono work on more than 1,800 cases representing indigent clients in Emergency Protective Order hearings, divorce actions, and housing cases.
Under the supervision and guidance of Shelley Santry, the clinic continues to serve those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal services.
Sue Ellen is survived by her seven children: Michael Ackerson, Lucy Ackerson, Nancy Ackerson, Sara Wolford (Moe), James Ackerson, Catherine Bendl (Kurt), and Deborah Ackerson.
Besides her children, Sue Ellen is survived by 13 grandchildren: Sam and Drew Boutilier, Nicholas Postlewait, Matt, Mitch, Mason, and Annie Wolford, Connor (Emma), Claire, Henry, and Hillary Ackerson, and Nora and Jane Bendl; two great granddaughters, Jayden and Veda Ackerson; and nephew, David Harper (Lisa).
Sue Ellen dedicated her life to her children, grandchildren, and great granddaugthers. It was always clear that her family was the most important thing in her life.
She was also blessed to have in her life many dear friends including those at the parishes she was a member of over her lifetime. She was a devout member at Sts. James and Brigid parishes where she participated in Bible study and other activities.
She also enjoyed the friends she made and maintained at The Meadows at Masonic Homes of Kentucky and the Dartmouth in the Highlands.
Sue Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Robert L. Ackerson; and her sisters, Sallie Anne Hannigan and Mary Virginia Broadus.
Visitation will on Thursday, December 31st, 2020, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville KY 40205.
Sue Ellen’s funeral Mass will be held on Saturday January 2nd, 2021, at 10:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 1826 Edenside Avenue, Louisville, Ky 40204, with burial to follow at Cave Hill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made by contributions to the Robert and Sue Ellen Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Louisville, or the Robert and Sue Ellen Ackerson Law Clinic at UofL at 416 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Ste. 200, Louisville, KY 40202.
August 1, 1934 - December 28, 2020
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Sue Ellen Ackerson; a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and caring friend to all of her family and friends.
Sue Ellen was born in Louisville to George and Sue Reedy Broadus on August 1, 1934, where she grew up and lived most of her life. Her father was a renowned attorney and judge and her mother was an accomplished bridge player.
Sue Ellen attended Sacred Heart Academy where she excelled at field hockey and graduated in 1951. She attended the University of Louisville and graduated in 1955. At U of L, she was a member of Pi Beta Phi and many other clubs and organizations.
She married Robert L. (Bob) Ackerson on July 9, 1955 at St. James Catholic Church and were married 53 years before his death in 2008. Sue Ellen and Bob first met while attending a U of L basketball game and she remained an avid Cardinal fan with her lifetime support of academics and athletics at UofL.
In 2009, Sue Ellen decided to honor her late husband, a prominent Louisville attorney, with the creation of the Robert and Sue Ellen Law Clinic at the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law.
Since its founding, the clinic has done pro bono work on more than 1,800 cases representing indigent clients in Emergency Protective Order hearings, divorce actions, and housing cases.
Under the supervision and guidance of Shelley Santry, the clinic continues to serve those who would otherwise be unable to afford legal services.
Sue Ellen is survived by her seven children: Michael Ackerson, Lucy Ackerson, Nancy Ackerson, Sara Wolford (Moe), James Ackerson, Catherine Bendl (Kurt), and Deborah Ackerson.
Besides her children, Sue Ellen is survived by 13 grandchildren: Sam and Drew Boutilier, Nicholas Postlewait, Matt, Mitch, Mason, and Annie Wolford, Connor (Emma), Claire, Henry, and Hillary Ackerson, and Nora and Jane Bendl; two great granddaughters, Jayden and Veda Ackerson; and nephew, David Harper (Lisa).
Sue Ellen dedicated her life to her children, grandchildren, and great granddaugthers. It was always clear that her family was the most important thing in her life.
She was also blessed to have in her life many dear friends including those at the parishes she was a member of over her lifetime. She was a devout member at Sts. James and Brigid parishes where she participated in Bible study and other activities.
She also enjoyed the friends she made and maintained at The Meadows at Masonic Homes of Kentucky and the Dartmouth in the Highlands.
Sue Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Robert L. Ackerson; and her sisters, Sallie Anne Hannigan and Mary Virginia Broadus.
Visitation will on Thursday, December 31st, 2020, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville KY 40205.
Sue Ellen’s funeral Mass will be held on Saturday January 2nd, 2021, at 10:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 1826 Edenside Avenue, Louisville, Ky 40204, with burial to follow at Cave Hill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made by contributions to the Robert and Sue Ellen Charitable Fund at the Community Foundation of Louisville, or the Robert and Sue Ellen Ackerson Law Clinic at UofL at 416 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Ste. 200, Louisville, KY 40202.