Susanne Lyons Maxey

Susanne (Sue) was born in Lake Lynn, PA to Mary Lou Shields Lyons and Nathaniel Ewing Lyons. Sue graduated from Point Marion HS and Slippery Rock State Teachers College. She moved to Orlando in 1958, where she taught at Bishop Moore HS. She met her husband Bill and they married at McCoy Air Force Base Chapel on September 5, 1959. A year later, their son Eric was born in Orlando and their daughter Michele the following year in Las Vegas. Their youngest daughter Jennifer was born in Japan. Sue thoroughly enjoyed being an Air Force wife overseas and was active in Our Lady of Loretto Sodality and Officers Wives Club in Tachikawa. After living in The Philippines, the family returned to the DC area. When Lt. Col. Maxey retired from the Air Force in 1974, the family moved back to Orlando. Sue returned to graduate school and earned her MA in counseling at FTU (now UCF). As a Marriage and Family Therapist, her first position was with Catholic Charities as adoption counselor and her last job was with Hospice of Central Florida as bereavement counselor. Sue volunteered with BETA Center, Ronald McDonald House, Morse Museum, Margaret Mary Catholic Church and Winter Park Library. She was a member of Women’s Club of Winter Park, University Club, and ESU. An ardent traveler, Sue visited countless countries with Bill and later with friends. She was a keen bridge player and an avid reader who belonged to a book club for many years. Sue was a talented artist who also loved dancing, golf and water sports. She loved to sing and always had a song in her heart and on her lips for anyone within earshot. She was quick-witted and funny and had a smart retort for any situation. In early February this year, doctors gave Sue a prognosis of two weeks to live. As in her life, she defied expectations and all scientific odds in her death. In the five ½ months that she lived beyond the expected time, she was able to visit with every family member and countless friends, travel on day trips around the state, and spend precious time with her loved ones. Two days before her death, she was able to hold the newest great-grandchild she was not expected to live to see. Her husband Bill predeceased Sue. She is survived by her children Eric Maxey of Decatur, TN; Michele (Dan) Burdette of Winter Park; Jennifer (Jorge) Borrelli of Orlando, Ann (Frank) LaScuola of Butler, PA and their family; grandchildren Jessica Armstrong, Lori Streubing, Will Maxey, Jenna Maxey, Britni Burdette, Joey Burdette, Madeline Borrelli, Harry Borrelli; great-grandchildren Jonathan, Jordan, Jahlei, Michael, Haley, Cassius, and Paloma Rose. A celebration of Sue’s life will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 9:30 am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Attendees are encouraged to wear purple or blue in honor of Sue. Burial will be at later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sue’s honor can be made to Hospice of the Comforter or One Heart for Women Children. St. a and