Sue Ecclestone loved to put an event together. Be it a fundraiser for a cause or a Christmas Eve party for friends who didn't have other plans, when people gathered, Mrs. Ecclestone was in her element.
"You could just tell by the expression on her face that she was enjoying herself," said friend Mary Saul, of Roswell. "Whether she was in her own kitchen, or at TJ's, she loved doing things like that."
Mrs. Ecclestone co-owned TJ's Sports Bar & Grill, in Alpharetta, with her husband and former Atlanta Flame hockey player, Tim Ecclestone. Mrs. Ecclestone had excellent people skills and a really good memory, her husband said.
"She knew every delivery driver that came through there," he said. "She knew the customers, especially those who came in the daytime, which is when she worked. If they came in here during the day, they came in here looking for Sue."
Susan Gail Dayus Ecclestone, known as Sue by most, of Roswell, died Sunday at DeKalb Medical Center, from complications related to ovarian cancer. She was 62. Her body has been cremated and a memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Thursday at the Roswell Funeral Home, which is also in charge of arrangements.
A native of Toronto, Canada, Mrs. Ecclestone came to Atlanta when her husband's career brought them south. The two met in high school, eventually married and had two children. Mr. Ecclestone is quick to point out his schedule as a professional athlete didn't always make things easy for his wife.
"She was the backbone of our family, period," he said. "She was there, raising our kids while I was traveling. She was everything to me and our children."
When Mr. Ecclestone decided to open TJ's in 1990, his second restaurant, his wife wanted to be a part of the business. She managed the daytime operations, and her husband and son handled the evening crowd.
"When we had the first place, the children were young and her focus was on them," he said. "But this time she wanted to be involved, and she knew everybody's name, what they did, the whole thing. She was wonderful."
Beyond TJ's, Mrs. Ecclestone was involved with several organizations, including a Golden Retriever rescue group in Atlanta. The dogs were her favorite breed and the family always had two, Mr. Ecclestone said.
"She was such a giving person," Mrs. Saul said. "She gave to her family and to this great extended family she had. The way she took care of people, you just knew it was one of her special gifts."
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Ecclestone is survived by her son, Mark Ecclestone; daughter Sandi Tisdale; and one granddaughter, all of Roswell.
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