Mary M. Suttles; had been councilwomen's aide

Mary Michelle Suttles, 68, of Logan, a former assistant to two city councilwomen, died Tuesday, June 25, at Einstein Medical Center of heart failure.

Born in Swainsboro, Ga., Mrs. Suttles earned a bachelor's degree in mass-media communications from the Agricultural and Technical University of Greensboro, N.C., and completed a master's degree in health administration at Temple University.

From January to August 2012, Mrs. Suttles was director of constituent services for Philadelphia Councilwoman Cindy Bass. She retired for health reasons.

Before that, she spent five years as community liaison and constituent-services representative in the office of Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, working to link constituents with needed city and community services.

"To those who mourn, may you find comfort in the peace this wonderful soul has surely found, and in the legacy of goodness she left behind," Bass and Council President Darrell L. Clarke said in a special citation.

Before working for City Council, Mrs. Suttles was a case manager for 14 years with two organizations in Philadelphia devoted to assisting HIV patients. She helped them get medical and social services.

Mrs. Suttles also worked as a case manager at the Opportunities Industrialization Center in Philadelphia. She supervised the daily activities of caseworkers, maintained a job bank, and managed a 24-hour support center.

She was married to William Carroll Suttles, who died earlier. Surviving are a son, Ennis C.; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild; five brothers; and two sisters. Another son also died earlier.

A viewing will be at 10 a.m. Monday, July 1, at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, 5200 N. Broad St., Philadelphia 19141. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be in Mount Peace Cemetery, Philadelphia.

Donations may be sent to the church.