Coralie Gustafson

Coralie Booth Gustafson, age 90 and a resident of the Sault for 85 years, died October 6, 2004, in Fargo, North Dakota, after a courageous 60-year battle with rheumatic heart disease. In recent years, Coralie resided at Waterford at Harwood Groves. May her memory be eternal! Coralie Booth Gustafson was born on January 7, 1914, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Demosthenes Booth (Boudounis) and Marianthi (Markopoulo) Booth. Coralie was the last surviving member of the original Booth family which played important civic and business roles in the Sault and eastern Upper Peninsula for over 100 years. She was a graduate of St. Mary?s Academy, Notre Dame, Indiana, and attended Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois, where she was selected one of the ?most beautiful coeds? by the Chicago Tribune. On August 3, 1936, she married Richard O. Gustafson. Continuing the innovative and enterprising nature of her family, she and her husband built the Sault?s first motel, the Parkway, which they operated for many years. Coralie was known to close friends as ?the Duchess? because of her beauty, elegance, and joy of life: the so-called ?Greek fire.? She was a devoted bridge player, took pride in her hydrangeas and geraniums, was an avid reader, and took particular pleasure in sharing her joy of Greek cooking. The accomplishments of her two sons Richard, a lawyer, and Anthony, a physician, gave her the greatest happiness. She was a lifetime member and benefactor of St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Coralie was also a lifetime member of the Sault Country Club and for many years devoted herself to the War Memorial Hospital Ladies? Auxiliary. Mrs. Gustafson is preceded in death by her husband Richard O., both parents, two brothers Constantine and Anthony, and two sisters Ann (Smith) and Georgia (Kafcas). She is survived by sons Richard (Betty Lou) and Anthony (Deborah), five grandchildren: Richard, Christopher, Alexandra (Adam) Colby, Anastasia, and Andreana, a great-granddaughter Kristina Colby, and a grandcollie Matthew. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews: Demosthenes (Marvel Jean) Booth, Mary Ann (John) Hill, Joanne Coralie (Warren) Goodwin, James (Carol) Booth, Constance (Richard) Weber, Corlann (Bruce) Beardsley, and their families; and special cousins Mary Graphos and Ruby Pedakis. Visitation: Viewing and evening prayers at Clark-Bailey-Newhouse Funeral Home. Funeral Liturgy: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Sault, Fr. Mantle. Pallbearers are Peter Gianakouras, Bill Kristelis, Judge Nicholas Lambros, Charles Payment, George Venious, and John Vournakis. Memorial Service: Waterford at Harwood Groves, Fargo, North Dakota, time and date to be announced. Burial: Family plot, Riverside Cemetery, Sault, Michigan Reception: Following burial at Fellowship Hall (basement), St. George Greek Orthodox Church Expressions of sympathy may be sent in the form of donations to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 511 Court Street, Sault, Michigan, 49783