Heather MacQuattie Sugg, of Riverside, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday, July 29, 2018. Heather was born on the Peck Estate in Barrington. She was the daughter of William Duncan MacQuattie, originally from Ballachulish, Scotland, and Alice Jesse Sproull, a Scot from Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Heather’s red hair and reputation for frugality were both genetic in nature. 

Heather grew up in Barrington where she excelled at sports, breaking her nose seven times. The last break was due to Bobby rolling over in bed and catching her nose with his elbow — so it doesn’t count. Graduating in 1956, Heather attended the Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing, switching majors when marrying a Golden Gloves boxer assigned to the USS Gatling in Newport. Four children later, she excelled in spearheading a one woman campaign of propelling her charges to become doctors, lawyers, Oscar winners or the President of the United States. She only slightly missed the mark while Robbie, Helen, Holly and Kenny were driven to Scouts, music lessons, and teaching them to swim in the freezing waters of the mighty Barrington River. Heather believed in giving back to her community through teaching the correct way to accomplish Hi Lo Jack, cribbage, swimming, fishing, bowling, golf, singing, the use of rear view mirrors and following distances, bagpiping, and highland dancing, as well as imparting great wisdom on the subjects of the Civil War cemeteries, the histories of England, Scotland, Nova Scotia, the brutality of the New York Islanders, and the political corruption of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Heather was an avid genealogist, always ready for another attempt to match gravestones and marriage certificates in order to prove the family’s certain lineage to one of the twelve apostles.

Heather served as a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader, School Bus Monitor, RI Heritage Committee Member, RI Highlanders Dancer, British Empire Club, Barrington Congregational Church Choir, Chair of the Barrington Class of 1956 Reunion Committee and Chair of the US Navy DESRON 30 Reunion Committee.

Heather was unique. For those who were blessed to get past the paper thin veneer of toughness, Heather’s friends and family found no greater advocate; no limit to sacrifice; not a single drop of meanness; and a Mom to everyone in the neighborhood who found a place to feel at home while she sat cross-legged on the floor, playing solitaire.

Heather is survived by her children, Robert Sugg (Karen) of Crestview, Fla., Helen Ridondo of Riverside, Holly Meade (Kenneth) of East Providence, and Kenneth Sugg of Block Island, her five grandchildren, Joshua, Jeffrey, Kenneth, Elizabeth and Brittany, great-grandchildren, Kayla and Aria, her brother Alan Sproull MacQuattie of Barrington, her brother and sister-in-law, Gerry and Margaret Sugg, of Venice, Ill., and many greatly loved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bobby E. Sugg, her parents, William Duncan MacQuattie and Alice Jesse MacQuattie (Sproull), her brothers William Duncan MacQuattie, Jr. and Donald Sproull MacQuattie.

Remembrances may be made to the music ministry of Barrington Congregational Church. Please visit smithmason.com for full obituary and online condolences.