Susan Holmes Seely

Susan Murray Holmes Seely will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family and friends, her listening ear, laughter, positive attitude, and the encouragement she always gave to others. Susan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 34, yet overcame it with a fighting spirit and aggressive therapy that unexpectedly allowed her to live into her late 70’s. This experience deeply impacted Susan and strengthened her ability to fully appreciate the beauty around her and the good to be found in each day, be up for an adventure as her health allowed, and to always take time to play. She had an impeccable eye for decorating and arranging flowers, she loved to garden, play golf and bridge, attend her many clubs and study groups and generally engage in anything that involved gathering with her close friends.

Susan was born in Enid, OK on October 16, 1944, and lived in Fairview through high school with her parents Eleanor Murray Holmes and Herbert Hadley Holmes, her sister Ann Holmes Caylor and brother Stephen Robert Holmes. She graduated from Fairview High School in 1962 and attended college at Oklahoma State University where she was a Kappa Alpha Theta and graduated with a degree in education in 1966. She went to work as an elementary school teacher in Oklahoma City and then in sales with Borg Warner’s education department selling a pre-computer learning machine.

Susan met her beloved husband of 31 years, J. Rodman Seely, MD, PhD, in 1980 when Rod was the pediatrician for her niece Sarah’s birth. After reconnecting during one of Sarah’s routine pediatrics appointments and later at a social event, Susan and Rod fell in love and married in 1986. Their life together was filled with fun as they traveled widely, including to Europe and China, made frequent trips to Carmel, California, played golf and bridge, and spent time with friends and family. When Susan was not helping out in Rod’s pediatrics practice or engaged with her grand nieces, nephews and grandchildren, she was active in the Stephen Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church, was the past president of the Kappa Alpha Theta Oklahoma City Alumni Chapter, was a regular at pilates class, and participated actively in multiple clubs and study groups including the Theta Bookies Book Club, the Daisy Dames Garden Club, the Wednesday Study Club and her Bridge Club.

Susan was predeceased by her father Herbert H. Holmes, her mother Eleanor M. Holmes, her beloved husband J. Rodman Seely, MD, PhD, her brother Stephen R. Holmes, DVM, and her brother-in-law James W. Caylor. She leaves loving memories to be cherished by her sister Ann Holmes Caylor, cousin Janis Bacon and her husband Don Bacon, sister-in-law Dee Holmes Pansze and her husband John Pansze, niece Sarah Caylor Campbell, her husband Shawn Campbell and children Caylor and Hadley, niece Anilee Holmes Foster, her husband Shane Foster and children Brandon and Alexis, nephew Stephen Michael Holmes and children Caroline, Carson, and Keaton, and Rod’s daughters, Diana Seely Decker, her husband Michael Decker and children Garrett, Jarrod and Tori, Lynn Seely Ditzler, her husband Timothy Ditzler and children Madeline and Steven, and Tricia Seely Denison, her husband Mike Denison and children Grant, Alli, Hunter and Natalie.

A memorial service to celebrate Susan’s life will be held on June 8, 2024, Westminster Presbyterian Church at 10:30 a.m. located at 4400 North Shartel Avenue in Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one’s favorite charity in Susan’s name.