Peggy Card Suydam, 93, passed away peacefully Feb. 13 at Riverwoods in Exeter, N.H. A longtime resident of Bellport, N.Y. and South Bristol, Peggy was a beloved mother, an accomplished thespian, and a small business owner. She was born Sept. 1, 1921.
She was a graduate of Sayville High School and Lasell Junior College. She was the daughter of Clarence Preston Card and Margaret Johnston Card of Sayville, N.Y. She married Lispenard (“Liz”) Suydam (predeceased) in 1942. They met racing sailboats on the Great South Bay.
Peggy’s love of off Broadway theatre was contagious among her friends. In the early 1960s, she and two neighbors founded the Bellport Playcrafters, the longest continuing amateur theatre group in the state of New York. She was involved in every phase of production, singing, and acting. Her most memorable role was that of Eliza in My Fair Lady. Other shows included South Pacific, Oklahoma, Carousel, The Seven Year Itch, Kiss Me Kate, West Side Story, The Women, Bell Book and Candle, and her last role as Fiona in Brigadoon.
Peggy started a local gift and gourmet shop in Sayville named the Country Mouse. She sold the business and her beach house in Davis Park in the early 70s when she and Lispenard moved to South Bristol. In South Bristol, she was active in the early years of the Antiques Fair, which continues to benefit Miles Memorial Hospital today. In 2001, the couple moved to Riverwoods. Peggy soon volunteered in both the library and store.
A description of Peggy would not be complete without mentioning her love for animals, particularly pets. She generously supported both the Humane Society and the ASPCA. She was outspoken when she saw instances of human cruelty to animals, as she believed that pets were unable to defend themselves. This love was instilled in both her children and grandchildren.
Peggy had many accomplishments. Her greatest, however, was as a first-class lady and mother of three boys. She is survived by all three: Nardi Suydam and partner Elizabeth Parker, Bryce Suydam and wife Maryann Gilligan Suydam, all of Marblehead, Mass., and Peter Suydam and partner Sally Vittum of New Harbor; grandchildren, Nick, Bryce, and Jonathan Suydam, and Maggie Butorac; as well as one great-grandchild, Jack Butorac.
A memorial service will be held at Saint Anne’s Episcopal Church in Sayville, N.Y. at a time and date in June to be announced.
