Suzzette Mordes

Suzzette “Susie” Mordes passed away peacefully under the loving care of hospice on July 14, 2024, after a battle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Up until the end Susie maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, love of family and friends, and expressed gratitude for her long life, full of wonderful and varied experiences. Susie was 86 years young at the time of her death and will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

Susie was born in Delphos, Ohio on March 10, 1938, to John Frank and Dolores Chenowith Stouder. Susie was the big sister to Judith and Nancy. She spent her younger years growing up on a farm in Indiana. From 1956-1960, she attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana graduating with a BS in Business Administration. She was actively involved in her sorority while attending Indiana University. Some of her fondest memories were made living in New York City and attending Tobe’ Coburn School for Fashion Careers after graduating from Indiana University. While at Tobe’ Coburn, Susie earned a certificate in fashion merchandising. She went on to have a career as a fashion buyer for Rike's department store in Ohio. Susie married her husband, Douglas J. Mordes on October 10, 1964, in Dayton, Ohio. They remained married until Doug’s death from cancer in 1999. Susie earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Maryland in 1981 with a concentration in industrial education. She worked for the Anne Arundel Public Schools as a business education teacher and coordinator for the Cooperative Occupations Programs. Doug and Susie had 2 children, Scott and Jill, while still living in Ohio, then lived in Severna Park, Maryland and settled into their forever home in Seaford, Delaware in 1982. Susie remained in this home until just a few months prior to her death. She spent her last few months in the memory care unit at The Lodge in Historic Lewes in Lewes, Delaware. Upon moving to Seaford, Susie earned her real estate license and had a successful career as a realtor with Calloway, Farnell and Moore. She spent almost 30 years helping families in the Seaford area buy and sell homes. She found great joy in helping someone find their first home as well as their family’s forever home. Susie cherished her family, friends and career. Her “Hardly Tennis” group brought her many years of friendship and happiness. She was an avid tennis player, reader and enjoyed many hours at her sewing machine. She had a keen eye for fashion and interior decorating. Once she was no longer able to play tennis, she continued to watch countless hours of tournament play as the tennis channel was her most favorite. She also loved a good game of Bridge with her friends. With friends and family, she could often be found enjoying a good meal and cocktail, Tanqueray and tonic, at her favorite Seaford eatery, Bon Appetit. Susie spent eight years on the Board of Directors for Nanticoke Memorial Hospital from 2000 - 2008 as well as time as a member of the Seaford Rotary. She was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in appreciation of her service.

In addition to her husband, Doug, Susie is preceded in death by her parents, John Frank and Dolores as well as her sister, Judith Parrill. She is survived by her daughter, Jill Elaine Wittman and her husband, Kurt, her son, Scott Joseph Mordes and his wife, Lisa. Susie is survived by her 5 grandchildren, Bradley Ellingsworth (wife, Megan Ellingsworth), Kayla Krause, Hannah Krause, Ryan Mordes and Rachel Mordes.

Susie is blessed to be survived by one great grandchild, Axel Ellingsworth. Susie is also survived by her sister, Nancy Scaer and her husband Robert of Sullivan, Indiana and several nieces.

A memorial service will be held at Cranston Funeral Home in Seaford, Delaware on Friday, August 9, 2024. Visitation will be from 11-12 with the service following from 12 -1.

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