Carolyn Sue Katz, 75, of Moline, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her loved ones. Funeral services will be on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Congregation Beth Israel at the Tri-City Jewish Center in Rock Island. Burial will be at the Hebrew Cemetery in Rock Island. Memorials in Sue's honor may be made to The Figge Museum, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Temple Emanuel, Quad City Animal Welfare Center or the charity of your choice.

A lifelong resident of the Quad Cities, Sue was born on April 15, 1941 to Annette and Charles Katz in Davenport. A graduate of Davenport Central High School, she received her B.A. from the University of Iowa, where she was a member of the Undergraduate Writers Workshop.

Sue married Martin Katz of Rock Island on February 23, 1964. In addition to her devotion to her family, Sue had a passion for literature and the arts and was devoted to making the world a more beautiful place. A talented artist and poet, she received many awards for her poetry, paintings and photography over the years and saw her poetry published in various journals and anthologies. For many years she also owned the Gallery Portofino in Rock Island where she sold many of her own paintings, as well as those of other Quad City artists.

Sue was active in many philanthropic organizations, including the Junior Board of the Quad City Symphony, the Junior Board of the Visiting Nurses Association and was a member of the Temple Emanuel Pioneer Women. For many years she helped to run the Mississippi Valley Poetry Contest and also worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various newspapers in the Quad Cities.

Sue was a considerate and caring friend to many and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 52 years, Martin; her parents, Charles and Annette; and her brother David.

She is survived by her sons Steven (Katia) and Matthew (Stephen); her grandchildren Lara, Ariane and Wyatt; her sister-in-law Debbi and her nephew Dan Katz - all of whom loved her dearly.