Suszane Marie Gardner Gilliland
Suszane Marie Gardner Gilliland
January 17,1929-February 21,2020
Born in Nappanee, IN
Preceded in death by her parents Charles and Mary Gardner, her sister Gloria Phipps, her husband Larry, two children Gregory and Geoffrey, son-in-law James Greathouse and grandson Ross Greathouse. Survived by two daughters Phoebe (Thomas) Greemann and Mindy (Jeff) Seibert,3 grandchildren,3 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and loving friends.
She spent her childhood in Knox, Indiana with summers at the family lake house on Wawasee at Buttermilk Point, sliding down the waterslide into the lake in a woolen bathing suit.
Her first job, at 16, was delivering food for the Chinese restaurant at Lake Wawasee.
She graduated from Cottey College, Purdue and Ball State. As a wife and mother she moved around the country with her family, volunteering at her church, Girl Scouts, garden clubs and other service organizations.
After 50, she started working outside the home, in real estate in Chicago and later at the lake. She moved into management of nursing homes/assisted living and worked in seven states. After 70 she built a house on Lake Papacheekie and managed an apartment complex in Fort Wayne.
She volunteered at the North Webster food pantry, Hospice of Indiana, Purdue Homemakers Extension club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Syracuse Library and the Shepherd by the Lakes Lutheran Church. Services will be held on Staurday, February 29, 2020 at 2 PM at the Shepherd by the Lakes Lutheran Church with calling 1 hour prior from 1-2 PM. Burial will follow at the McClintic Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Syracuse Library or Shepherd by the Lakes.