Susanne Rector Wilson

Susanne Rector (Barnes) Wilson died May 30, 2024. She was born July 28, 1930, in Columbus, Ohio, to George B. Rector and Dorothy Willis Rector. She was a graduate of North High School (1948) and The Ohio State University (1952 and 1980) where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi, honoraries Mirrors, Chimes, Mortar Board, Kappa Alpha Tau journalism honorary, and Sigma Delta Chi Society of Professional Journalists. Her first job was an assistant librarian in The Ohio State University Educational Research Library and later, as a graduate student, she interned for OSU campus publications. She worked as a general assignment reporter covering local government in Upper Arlington for Suburban News Publications. She won first prize for a feature story writing in a competition sponsored by the local chapter of Women in Communications (1981). In later years, she wrote as a freelancer for Columbus area publications.

As a 21-year resident of the Kansas City area, she edited the Leawood United Methodist Church newsletter, spent 10 years as a Doncaster wardrobe consultant, and served as an assistant store manager for the non-profit organization Ten Thousand Villages in Prairie Village, Kansas. In Columbus, she was a member of First Community Church (Guild X) and Childhood League Assisting Board V. Three children and four grandchildren survive: Jennifer Barnes and Jonathan Barnes (Jenny) of Columbus, Joel Barnes (Jamie Bjune) of Prescott AZ; grandchildren Dylan and Maya Barnes, and Ava and Maxwell Barnes, who fondly called her Granny Sue. Survivors include sister Patricia R. Donnally of Columbus, sister-in-law Jane F. Rector of Azle, TX, many beloved nieces and nephews, and the Judy family. She was preceded in death by her loving parents, brother Willis E. Rector, her late husband Thomas A. Wilson, and her loving late-in-life partner William K. Judy. Most cherished highlights of her life include the love of family and friends, and her career as a journalist.

Following cremation, Susanne R. Wilson’s life will be celebrated at First Community Village at a later date. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make contributions in her memory to The Ohio State University School of Communications Sportswriting Scholarship, or The First Community Church Foundation, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus OH 43212, or Canine Companions For Independence, 7480 New Albany Condit Rd., New Albany, OH 43054, or your favorite Hospice organization.