Suzanne Derosay Henninger

Suzanne Henninger passed away on March 4, 2024 in Akron, OH.

Sue was survived by her husband of 65 years, Joe D. Henninger. She is also survived by her daughter, Sarah O'Hear (James) of Harrisonburg, VA. She was  preceded by son, James Andrew, and her parents, Kingsley De Rosay and Valeska Gabrielsen.

Born in Philadelphia, PA., Sue graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1953. She graduated from Cornell University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction and Honors in Classics. She was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society after her junior year. She was also a member of the Delta Gamma sorority. While at Cornell, Sue met her husband, Joe. They were married there on June 28,1958.

Sue remained very active as an alumna. She served a five year term as president of the Class of 1957. Sue attended every reunion of the Class of 1957 through her 60th. Upon moving to Akron in 1966, she and her husband revived the defunct Cornell Club of Akron and both served as its president. For many years, Sue was an Alumni Admission Ambassador for Cornell, interviewing local high school applicants to Cornell. In 2009, Sue and her husband were awarded the Frank H.T. Rhodes Alumni Service Award for their service to the university. She was also elected a life time member of the Cornell Alumni Council.

After her Cornell graduation, Sue began her teaching career in Irondequoit, NY. She then taught Latin and Spanish at Pelham HS in Pelham, NY.

After moving to Akron, she became quite involved in many community organizations. As a member of the Junior League of Akron, Sue volunteered for over twenty years at the various Firestone golf tournaments. During the 1970s, she helped at the Virginia Slims Women's Tennis tournaments. Sue served as Board Chair of Child Guidance and Family Solutions. She also volunteered at the United Way and the International Institute. She retained her ties to Delta Gamma by serving as financial adviser to the chapter at the University of Akron.

Among Sue's hobbies were her love of gardening and birding. On the many vacations to Sanibel Island and Hilton Head, Sue was usually seen, with binoculars around her neck, looking for that "new" bird. She also enjoyed golf and tennis. She never passed up a bridge game with the ladies at Portage Country Club.

Sue was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for over forty years. She regularly volunteered in the business office and served on the Endowment Committee for many years, including multiple terms as chairman.

The family would like to acknowledge the loving and compassionate care given to Sue by Angela Hill and Cora Harper over the past three years.

Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Sue’s life will be held on WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2024 at 11:30AM at Portage Country Club, 240 N. Portage Path Akron, OH 44303 .

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N Miller Road, Akron, OH  44333.