Hampshire loses a Main St. icon

One of the long-standing businesses in Hampshire has lost its namesake.

Sue Ann Anderson, who opened Sue's Beauty Salon nearly 40 years ago on Main Street, died Tuesday after a five-month battle with lung cancer.

The lifelong Hampshire resident was 59.

"Sue could do anything," says Nancy Landrove, one of four stylists in the shop, "from roller sets, color and perms, to updos for the younger girls for prom and homecoming."

Anderson knew she wanted to enter the business as far back as high school, when in between her junior and senior years at Hampshire High School she attended Elgin Beauty School.

After graduating from high school in 1966, she began working in a small salon in town before taking over its management. Within a few years, she moved next door to open her own shop, and wound up buying the building.

Her brother, Jon Walrack of Hampshire, helped her convert the space into a salon, even installing the sinks.

"She developed some longtime customers," her brother says, "and men and women came to her."

Over the years, Anderson expanded her services to include manicures and pedicures, as well as selling jewelry and flags for the American Legion, of which she was an officer in its auxiliary.

In addition, Anderson joined the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce to help build visibility for the shop and network with other local merchants.

After 40 years, the salon had become such a local institution that its image is included with a mix of prominent buildings in town, on a board in the sales office of the town's newest subdivision, Lakewood Crossing.

"Sue was such a caring individual," says her sister-in-law, Laurie Walrack of Hampshire. "Most of her customers considered her a friend more than a stylist."

Her employees have struggled to cover for Anderson since her diagnosis in July.

"It's been very hard," says her niece, Paulette Anderson, who works in the shop. "She's had many cards sent to her from all of her clients."

Besides her brother, sister-in-law and niece, Anderson is survived by her husband, Donald, whom she married Oct. 2, 1982, in Hampshire; stepson, Mark (Sue) Anderson of McHenry; stepdaughter, Tammy Anderson of Huntley; and grandchildren Joshua and Lauren.

The funeral service is at 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 207 Grove Ave., in Hampshire.