Sue Gilliam
In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.
Obituary
Norma Sue (Lightner) Gilliam
Born February 13, 19?? to Katheryn Mae Durst and Harry Norman Lightner in Amarillo, Texas. She passed away peacefully on May 10th, 2025, in Cancun, Mexico, with her loving Terry and kitty Sweetie Pie by her side. Sue mostly grew up in Waco, Texas. She married Walter Thad Gilliam and raised 3 wonderful children, Gretchen, Kristi, and Gregg, all living in Houston. After divorcing in 1988, Sue split her time between Houston and Cancun and eventually moved to Cancun in about 1992. Sue met Terry in the fall of 1992 and in the summer of 1993 they got together. They were extremely happy people and rarely apart. While in Cancun, Sue and Terry created Cancun Menus Magazine, a restaurant guide for tourists. They successfully published the magazine for 26 years.
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ATribute to Sue Gilliam
My love, my life, my everything for the last 30-some years.
When I think back to my first meeting with Sue in the early '90s in Cancun, one thing stands out: her incredible zest for life. Beyond her raw beauty, style and class, sense of humor, sharp wit, good nature, and intelligence, what struck me most was her love for life. She often said things like, “Oh, I just love this!” or “Don’t you just love that?” It was clear that Sue truly embraced life.
Sue adored her family and friends, and her greatest pride was her children—Gretchen, Kristi, and Gregg—all of whom are now charming, successful, and loving adults living in Houston. She had a deep affection for animals, particularly the pets she cherished throughout her life.
Sue was passionate about gardening and used to say, “You are nearer to God in the garden than anywhere else on earth.” She loved watercolor painting, and her beautiful artwork adorns our walls to this day. Her enthusiasm for almost all sports was infectious; she would jokingly refer to herself as “an athletic supporter.” (aka jockstrap!)
Sue loved sewing and decorating, creating a beautiful home in Cancun right down to the handmade curtains and pillows, all reflecting her unique style and ideas. She delighted in cooking and baking, and I was fortunate to enjoy her culinary creations for many years. She kept up with politics and was a proud supporter of Donald Trump, demonstrating her deep patriotism and love for the USA. Sue had a special fondness for Mexico and its people.
Whenever she had the opportunity, she loved to dance and would join in with joy. She had a beautiful singing voice, although only I knew just how talented she was. I would often tell her that she missed her calling because she could have excelled even in opera! She enjoyed her daily toddy right up to the very end and had a profound love for God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Sue loved every aspect of life!
She did what she loved and loved what she did!
And best of all for me? She loved me! I am eternally grateful for this—the greatest gift one can ever receive.
Rest in peace, my sweet love, until we meet again.
Terry
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We became fast friends,
Went out, wined and dined,
With our illustrious men.
But time stole first one of us, From our fun group of four,
And not long after,
The angels came to your door.
Your soul has departed,
A journey through space,
To the place where you started,
Leaving behind just a trace.
And now in your garden,
Where hummingbirds flit,
Your essence remains,
Where it’s forever sunlit.
It’s clear how deeply you cherished one another, and the bond you shared is something truly rare and inspiring. My heart is with you in this time of loss. May the love you shared continue to bring you comfort and strength.❤️❤️
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