Obituary: Susan Margaret (Findley) Derringer

Susan Margaret (Findley) Derringer, 92, of Winter Garden, passed away Oct. 13, 2020.

She was born a Leap Year baby on Feb. 29, 1928, in Maxeys, Georgia, a small town near Athens, to the late James and Clara (Noel) Findley. After high school, she was employed by Sears Roebuck in Atlanta as Pricing Clerk before being promoted to Record Clerk in the Purchasing Department for Catalogs and SE States. She attended training schools and did volunteer work as a Red Cross Nurse’s Aide at Grady Hospital in the evenings.

She married Ken, a Group Engineer at Martin Marietta, on Nov. 27, 1958. They originally lived in Titusville, Florida, moved to Orlando, then finally to Windermere. Sue and Ken were married 32 years and enjoyed many hobbies as husband and wife, including bowling, golf, fishing, spectator sports, gardening, traveling and trying new restaurants.

She was employed by Orange County Public Schools from 1971-1986 at Boone High School, where she began as a Library Clerk before progressing to Guidance Secretary. From there she transferred to the Exceptional Education Department as Administrative Support Secretary to the Program Director of FDLRS (Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources).

In 1994, Susan was named Woman of the Year by the Orlando Area Council of Beta Sigma Phi. A member for 37 years, she held the offices of Vice President, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer, as well as served as Program Chairman, Social Chairman and Sunshine Chairman. They praised: “Our sweet, quiet, Woman of the Year has brought sunshine into our lives — but watch out for that razor-sharp wit.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Derringer, whom she lovingly cared for prior to his passing in 1990; parents, James and Clara Findley; and siblings, James Robert Findley Jr., Virginia Miller, John William Findley Sr., Eudora Findley, Elizabeth Kluge and Patricia Sower.

Sue is survived by her brother, Charles Findley (Winnie); stepdaughter, Audrey Clattenburg (Bernie); two grandchildren, Lori and her husband John Chenoweth and Scott Clattenburg and his wife Sabrina; five great-grandchildren, Scott Jr., Lindsay, Laurel, Heather and Matthew; as well as four great-great-grandchildren; along with many adoring nieces and nephews.

Ms. Derringer will be laid to rest with her husband at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha, Florida, at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in her name to the Red Cross or the Orlando Area Council of Beta Sigma Phi.

Condolences may be offered at woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com