Susan Joanne Oakes, kind, compassionate soul

Susan Joanne Oakes, 54, known to many as Joanne, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, May 28, 2023. 

Joanne was born April 25, 1969, in Seaford, to the late Edna Lois Hudson and Phillip Hudson who survives her.

She graduated from Indian River High School in 1987 and then received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Salisbury State in 1991. During her nursing career, she worked for Nanticoke Memorial Hospital for 15 years and was currently employed at Fresenius Kidney Care in Millsboro. She married Everett H. Oakes Jr. in 1991 and together they raised one daughter, Susie. Joanne had a heart for others. She was friendly, kind, compassionate, caring, eccentric, talkative and never met a stranger. Joanne was known for her poetry. She loved to write and was very talented. She loved hearts, and she could see hearts in everyday things such as walnuts, food, clouds and even raindrops on the sidewalk.

In addition to her father, she is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, Everett H. Oakes Jr. of Millsboro; her daughter, Susie Marie Oakes and her husband Dylan J. Rose of Georgetown; two grandchildren, Elleanora Hassler and Hudson J. Rose; as well as her father-in-law, Everett H. Oakes of New York. She is also survived by extended family and friends.  

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, June 4.  A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 5, where friends may call from noon to 1 p.m. for visitation. All services will be held at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro. Interment will take place at Millsboro Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the National Kidney Foundation, Attn: Gift Processing at National Kidney Foundation HQ, 30 E. 33rd St., New York, NY  10016; or Brandywine Valley SPCA, 22918 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE  19947.

Letters of condolence may be emailed via watsonfh.com.