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Obituary: lvah Elaine Sundholm

Fri, Feb 2nd 2018 03:00 pm
A 63-year love affair ended as Ivah Sundholm drew her last breath on Jan. 24, 2018.
Ivy is predeceased by her parents, Amos O. and Grace Graves; her brother, Amos A. Graves (a World War II veteran); and her sister, Nancy Fournier. She is survived by her husband, Dennis Sundholm, of Panama City, Florida; her three sons, Martin (Rhonda) of Nassau Bay, Texas; Michael, of Truckee, California; and Matthew (Pam) of Panama City, as well as her sister, Gloria (John) Gambill of Dimondale, Michigan. She will be missed greatly by her grandchildren: Dennis, Daniel (KaCee), Matthew, Marcus, Michaela and Danica, as well as her great grandchildren: Nicholas, Kadyn and Benjamin Sundholm.
Dennis and Ivy shared numerous joys and adventures together. Moving to Los Angeles in the mid-1950s from Michigan and bearing three sons there was just the start. Moving back to Michigan in 1959, via train, with her boys, all under 4 years old, in tow was a feat in and of itself. Dennis had the easy part, driving the moving van!
Ivy was born in West Branch, Michigan, Feb. 6, 1932, graduating high school in 1949. She became the first in her family to attend college, receiving her Bachelor of Science from Adrian College in 1953. She met Dennis (a younger man!) at a dance at Central Michigan University that same year. Upon Dennis' graduation from Central, they married and moved west.
After moving back to Michigan, she started teaching in 1963. She also resumed her education, obtaining her Master of Arts from Central Michigan in 1965. The Sundholm family then moved to Grand Island during the summer of 1967. She taught for another six years before entering the real estate business. After obtaining her broker's license, she opened Ivy Real Estate, located in the Grand Island Plaza. She enjoyed a 17-year career working for various companies while earning sales awards along the way.
During her life on Grand Island, she was a member, and president, of various social, civic and business organizations. However, racing sailboats on the Niagara River was the family passion, resulting in winning many races aboard the "Boys 'n Ivy." Sandy Beach Yacht Club on Grand Island was their home away from home during the summer months. At SBYC, she was the choreographer for the club's annual "May Show." Her abilities helped them "defeat" the March and October shows regularly! Twenty-plus years as active members enabled her to make too many lifelong friends to list. As Buffalo Bills season ticket holders in the 1970s and '80s, as members of the "Ransom Road Runners," there were many heartbreaks along the way. However, her Florida license plate reads Bi LS FAN!
She and Dennis "retired" in 1990, moving to Panama City. After enjoying sailing in the beautiful Gulf waters for a number of years, they exchanged their sailboat for a "land yacht" and explored the U.S.A. via RV for the next 15 years. Many trips to Lake Tahoe, California, were taken to visit their granddaughters. Trips to Michigan and Western New York were common as well. All along, they managed to visit almost all of the "Lower 48" states as well as a few Canadian provinces. Many years were also spent camping with the "Miracle Strip Sam's" camping group of Panama City.
In the late '90s she became bored with retirement and resumed her teaching career, substitute teaching in Chipley, Florida. She finally retired for good in 2012, at 80 years old!
A "Thank you" to her neighbors, Wayne and Maggie Griswold, is in order as their help and kindness was a great comfort to Ivy.
A special "Thank you" to Dick and Sharon McCleary for their abundant love, help and support as they truly enabled Ivy to manage her life these last few years.
Those wishing to extend condolences may do so at www.heritagefhllc.com.

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