Obituary of Susan I. Withers

Susan "Sue" (Darling) Withers, 65, of Cortland, passed away July 15, 2016; the result of a motorcycle accident. She was born March 31, 1951 in Cortland, NY, the daughter of the late Frederick and Mildred Breeds Darling. Sue was raised and educated locally, graduating from Homer High School. In her mid-20s she joined the U.S. Navy as a radioman, serving for over five years before being honorably discharged. Following her service to our country, she attended TC3 and graduated with a business degree. For the past 18 years Sue has been employed at Cornell University. She has been a longtime member of the Dresserville Bible Baptist Church and the Cortlandville Grange. She held the position of Summerhill town assessor for 16 years. Sue's daughters were her pride and joy; anything important to them she made important to herself. Whether working with the Veterans Family Readiness Group or attending numerous sporting events; if her daughters were involved, she was there. One of her most recent accomplishments outside her pride and love for family was earning a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She also donated blood to the American Red Cross, giving over 14 gallons in her lifetime. She is survived by her daughters Michelle (Chad) Schultz and Lillian Withers, her sisters Constance (Kenneth) Oaks, Sylvia Russell, and her brothers James (JoAnne) Darling, Lynn (Carol) Darling, brother-in-law Daniel (Jacqueline) Boyden, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her sister, Diana Boyden. Calling hours will be Friday 4-7 pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home Inc., 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland NY, 13045. Funeral services will be held 10 am Saturday at the Dresserville Bible Baptist Church, 6339 County Rte 80, Moravia, NY 13118. Burial will follow at the West Hill Homer Cemetery, 325-349 New York 90, Cortland, NY 13045. Contributions may be made to The American Red Cross for their generosity to patients in need and also their unfailing dedication to the military; or better yet, donate blood in her honor.