In Memory

Susan Howlett (Wortman)

WORTMAN, Susan Travers Howlett Susan Travers Howlett, was born November 1, 1943, in West Orange, New Jersey. She graduated from Montclair High School, majored in Russian at Mt. Holyoke College, and earned an MS in librarianship from Case Western Reserve University. Her first professional job was with the vaunted reference department of the Cleveland Public Library; subsequently she worked in libraries at Doane College, Xavier University, and Miami University, from which she retired in 2009. In 1966 she married William A. Wortman; in 1975, after nine peripatetic years, they settled in Oxford, Ohio, where they raised their two daughters. Sue dedicated herself to their education (including rich years of violin lessons, practice, rehearsals, camps, contests, and performances). In addition, the family enjoyed summer camping trips to national parks and regular visits to grandparents and relatives in New Jersey and Iowa. In retirement, she researched family history, followed her daughters' careers, and helped nurture three grandchildren; she visited Maine nearly every summer since 2000, usually enjoying a hike up Cadillac Mountain. She was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in late 2011 (that summer she had swam in the Ligurian Sea and climbed a Colorado fourteener) and received excellent care at both the Siteman Cancer Center (St. Louis) and McCullough-Hyde/TriHealth (Oxford). Sue died at home on August 31, 2020, survived by her husband, Bill; daughters, Emily Wortman-Wunder (husband Mike, children Silas and Helen) and Alice Wortman-Sample (husband Andy, son Reid), and sister, Margaret Howlett. Her family will miss her subtle humor, devotion to NPR, and fresh baked bread; they especially miss talking with the best listener they have ever known. Her ashes will be buried in Malvern, Iowa, and a memorial service is planned at some future date. Memorial donations are suggested to the Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, OH 45263-3597, Three Valley Conservation Trust, 5995 Fairfield Rd., Oxford, OH 45056, or Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 1241 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. Online condolences to www.oglepaulyoungfuneralhome.com.



 
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12/06/20 05:11 PM #1    

John Pace

So sad, R.I.P πŸ™πŸΌπŸ™πŸΌπŸ™πŸΌ


12/06/20 05:15 PM #2    

Elaine Johnson (Fiveland)

I remember Sue from Mount Hebron and MHS.  She was quiet, but sincerly was a gatherer of her thoughts.  I am not surprised that her life path led her where it did. She had a remarkable career and made MHS proud to be her alma mater. RIP


12/06/20 07:10 PM #3    

Robert Duncan

Susan may you rest in peace


12/07/20 06:48 AM #4    

Arlene Helfrich (Teck)

I knew Sue Howlett beginning in elementary school at Mt. Hebron. I remember walking home with her to her house one spring day after school and met her lovely Mom who baked cookies for us. 
Sue's house was across the street from the back yard of Sionag Black's daffodil house, and Sue and Sionag were good friends. 
After eating our cookies, we went across the street to see if Sionag was at home. We met Sionag in the great house but were told we'd have to play quietly because her father was at home, in his study, working on his rare books collection. 
I remember Sue as a sweet, quiet unassuming girl with a sunny exterior and depth of thoughts. 
I reconnected with her briefly a couple of years ago when she was struggling with her final illness and knew that she would not recover. She asked me then not to share her situation with anyone while she was alive. 
I am glad your struggle is over, Sue. You shall be greatly missed. RIP

 

 

 


12/07/20 08:31 AM #5    

Sionag Black

So sorry to read of Susan's passing.  She ws a childhood friend and playmate.  Such a gentle soul.


12/07/20 09:46 AM #6    

Eric Davidson

Walk on, walk on, Sue.


12/07/20 01:27 PM #7    

John Woolsey

In High School, Sue was loved by all, especially by me. She was so bright and smart and beautiful both inside and out. My sympathy goes out to both her husband, children and grandchildren. 


12/07/20 06:24 PM #8    

Andy Johnson (Perham)

I agree with Sionag. Sue was a "gentle soul." I will miss her.


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