Sue Broad, daughter of Ernest Ricca and Jeanne Mieras Ricca, was born in New York City on November 30, 1946. She was the middle child, between older brother John Ricca and younger brother Greg Ricca.

After an unexpectedly exciting year as an exchange student in Argentina (where she spent some of her time hiding in the mountains due to a military coup) Sue returned to the United States to finish high school. After briefly attending the University of Michigan alongside her brother John, she found herself adrift for a while in the turmoil of the 60’s until she met and married her lifelong partner Chuck Broad in Milwaukee in 1971.

Sue and Chuck enjoyed a loving and whimsical marriage for 50 years, until he passed away in January 2022. During their marriage, Sue and Chuck raised two children, Jonathan and Jennifer Broad with love, compassion, and a little bit of sarcasm. Jonathan married Colleen Butler in 2001, and in 2004, to Sue and Chuck’s great delight, their grandchild, Ray Broad, was born.

Sue’s life demonstrated her fierce devotion to women’s rights. She worked at the Women’s Center in Waukesha, WI where she started as a Volunteer Coordinator and then became a Fundraiser, from 1975-1985. She continued this important work after a move to Naperville, IL, where she was the Director of Development at the Family Shelter Service from 1985-1992.

In 1992, she decided to embrace her love of children, play, and learning, when she became the Founding Director and the Executive Director of the DuPage Children’s Museum. She was instrumental in moving the museum from its original location in Wheaton, IL to its current location in Naperville, IL. She continued as the Director until 2014.

After 2014, Sue’s life changed direction again when she became a caretaker of her husband, Chuck Broad after his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s. With a move to Madison, WI to be closer to Jonathan, Colleen, and Ray, Sue again demonstrated her strong-will, love, and devotion as she helped her husband along his journey. She kept him company, provided humor, and constant love throughout the years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, when she wasn’t allowed into the assisted living community where Chuck lived, she would spend all day on the 2-way video device, reading, watching tv, and providing companionship during a very confusing time. When the bans were lifted, she resumed her visits to Chuck, at first out of doors (in a Wisconsin winter) and then eventually back indoors.

In 2023, she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. She did not let this diagnosis slow her down, even getting her first tattoo with her daughter Jennifer and grandchild Ray on the day of diagnosis (to honor her husband she got a tattoo of a kite with 5 hearts on the tail, one for each decade of their marriage). She continued to be a source of love and light to her family and friends until her passing on September 26, 2026.

Sue was a loving daughter, sister, wife, sister-in-law, aunt, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. She was extremely principled and a believer in justice, especially for women. She carried a childlike delight in the world and taught people to embrace their sense of wonder and silliness. She loved all forms of color, especially in birds, flowers, and jewelry. We will miss her very much.

On Sunday, October 18, 2026, a service will be held at 3PM followed by a luncheon and time of gathering until 6PM at Cress Funeral Home 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison, WI 53705.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to The Sue Broad Access and Inclusion Fund. An endowment is being created in her honor that will be used to provide access to the DuPage County Children's Museum, where she was the Director for 30 Years. Learn more and donate here.

Please share your memories below in the online guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434