Frances A. Susie, heart and soul of family

Frances A. Susie passed away Thursday, Sep. 19, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. She died at 76 from cancer. Frances was born in Baltimore, Md., to Frank W. Drega and Florence Drega (nee Ziomek).

Frances graduated from Seton High School in Baltimore, Md. She is profoundly missed.

Frances dedicated her life to her family and public service. She followed her husband to Germany when his career took him overseas. There, she raised her young family and worked in public service, volunteering for many animal welfare groups.

Frances loved life and loved to travel. She was the adventurer of the family, always eager to explore and expose her family to the wonders of the world. This sense of adventure left many indelible and precious memories. Frances had a kind spirit and a bountiful heart. While living overseas, the family table was continually filled with service members who were away from home during the holidays or just missed having a family meal. Frances made sure that these service members had a place at her table and were welcome in her home. Her compassion and love also extended to animals. Throughout her life she rescued all varieties of animals, nursing them to health and giving them a place in her family.

One of Frances’ great loves was reading. She loved the places books could take you and the vast knowledge they impart. She instilled this love in her family and chose to work in libraries when not working in public service positions. After she and her husband settled on retiring, they chose to call Milton their home. Frances was not content with the retiree lifestyle; her love of books and people drew her to work at the Milton Public Library until her recent retirement.

Above all, Frances loved her family. Her husband, Francis, was the love of her life and best friend. Frances was a fun and loving mother. She loved to dance and taught her daughters how to jitterbug and jive. She was proud of her family. Frances had the unique ability to make a home wherever the family happened to be living. Due to her husband’s job, travel was a fact of life. Moves were frequent. Frances could compel a temporary hotel room to feel like home, making her family feel warm, safe, and loved wherever they were. She was the essence of her family.

Frances is predeceased by the love of her life, her husband of 57 years, Francis J. Susie Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Karen Susie; her son-in-law, Guy J. Campagna; her daughter, Danielle Gibson; her granddaughters, Eva, Catherine and Julianna Gibson; her sister, Sr. Joan Drega, DC; her sister-in-law, Barbara A. Susie-Stump; her brother-in-law, John P. Susie; and her beloved cat daughters, Freya, Toonie and Lucy Susie.

Inurnment will be held at a future date when Frances will join her husband during a U.S. Navy burial at sea ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, Frances would truly appreciate any donations made to Brandywine Valley SPCA, bvspca.org/ways-to-give. 

Visit Frances' Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.