Mary Sue Detwiler

August 10, 1940 – December 31, 2013

Mary Sue Detwiler, 73, of Sarasota , FL, and formerly of Moline, IL, passed away on the last day of 2013 after a long battle with cancer. In her life as a daughter, wife, mother, teacher and friend she touched the lives of many people in great and small ways and her family and friends are greatly diminished by her passing.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Richard Detwiler, her daughter, Susan Dalesandro of Naperville, IL, and son, Eric Detwiler of Key West, FL. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Gia and Joseph Dalesandro and Rose Detwiler and her son and daughter-in-law, Dean Dalesandro and Elizabeth Ford Detwiler. Mrs. Detwiler also has a sister Kathleen DePorter of York, PA, and brother, James Wulf, of Buffalo, NY. Mrs. Detwiler was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Mary Wulf, of Rock Island, IL.

Mrs. Detwiler, originally Mary Sue Wulf, was born on August 10, 1940 in Rock Island, Illinois and attended Alleman High School. She married Richard Detwiler on Nov. 18, 1961 and they spent more than 52 years together.

Mrs. Detwiler worked with children at the YMCA in preschool for 6 years which led her to go back to school and complete her degree in education. She taught kindergarten for 18 years at Seton Catholic School in Moline, IL, touching the lives of many young children. It was a career that she greatly enjoyed.

A funeral service has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11 at the Church of St. Patrick in Sarasota at 10 a.m. Following the service there will be a celebration of life at the Meadows Country Club at noon. Mrs. Detwiler’s ashes will be scattered to the sea by the family on a boat off Siesta Key at sunset. Mrs. Detwiler loved to watch the sunset from the beach on Siesta Key.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family requests that donations be made to Seton Catholic School in Moline, IL or to the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences can be posted at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com.