She will be deeply missed by her beloved companion of 30 years, John Christie, as well as her family and friends.
Susie was born November 7, 1948 in Oberlin, Ohio. She was an extremely bright student, an avid reader, and a wonderful story teller. Susie had a keen eye for beauty, reflected in the exquisite quality of the art, jewelry and unique objects she chose to decorate her home and to offer as gifts to her family. Susie graduated from Oberlin High School in 1966 and from the University of Miami of Ohio with a major in English and American literature. She spent the early part of her
professional life working as a teacher in a small, rural school in southern Georgia. Later, as' a director of a number of Day Care centers in Tallahassee, she provided a stimulating, loving and safe environment for pre-schoolers. Susie began her major professional career in Florida's Department of Children and Family Services as an entry level social worker. She told many colorful stories of providing care to nearly forgotten and neglected elderly clients in rural north Florida. The directions to a backwoods house might involve turning left at the sable palm, continuing along the dirt road to the sink hole, then following the sound of the barking dog. Her compassionate professionalism was both brave and caring as she advocated tirelessly for
abused and neglected children and older adults. As Susie moved up the ranks of her profession she devoted an important part of her career to designing and implementing a highly respected system for maintaining records of child and elderly abuse cases in the state of Florida. Her writing and reasoning talents led her to shape a number of legislative proposals that became Florida State law. She travelled around the state to train others in maintaining records of abuse and neglect. Susie loved music, and one of her favorite pastimes was to travel to various performance locations with her partner John, an accomplished singer and keyboard artist. She came to love north Florida, her adopted home for forty years, and her family members were treated to visits to her favorite places - among them Wakulla Springs and Cedar Key.
Susie was preceded in death by her parents Stewart and' Virginia Fairchild (Halderson).
In addition to her life partner John Christie, she is survived by two loving sisters and their spouses: Sharon (Bob )Soucy of Oberlin, and Nancy (Jim) Puleo of Columbus Ohio; four nieces and nephews: Jennifer Shults of Oberlin, Jeffrey Shults of San Francisco, CA, Greg Stephens of Princeton, NJ, and Tim Stephens (Tanea) of Seattle Washington; and by her great nephew and great niece: Devon Shults (6 yrs) of Oberlin, and Isabella Stephens( 4 yrs) of Seattle.
Her ashes will be placed next to those of her parents in the village cemetery in Oberlin Ohio. Friends wishing to send cards are invited to address them to Sharon Soucy, 143 E. College St. #402, Oberlin, OH, 44074; or email Nancyatnpuleo@columbus.rr.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahssee, Florida.
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