Susan Eman Berntheizel, 87, passed away January 14, 2024, at Lancaster General Hospital surrounded by her family, following a brief illness.
Born in Lancaster, Susan was the daughter of the late Julia Taylor Eman and J. Harry Eman. Susan was married to the late George Y. Berntheizel for 46 years. She was the sister of the late Linda Swift, her sidekick for many adventures.
Susan and George enjoyed traveling with friends and family on cruises, visiting the New Jersey beaches, and boating on the Susquehanna River. Susan was very active and enjoyed swimming, walking, and competing in the football throw at the PA Senior Games. A lifetime nature and animal lover, Susan loved the house she and George built in the woods and delighted in the woodland creatures that surrounded their home. She also dearly loved and spoiled many dogs and cats who were lucky enough to be in her care.
Susan was a proud graduate of the J.P. McCaskey High School Class of 1954, where she made lifelong friendships.
Susan graduated from the Lancaster School of Business, but was an educator at heart. "Mrs. B." to her students, Susan worked at Park Elementary School with the Title One Program tutoring students. She spent many years with I.U. 13 in several school districts, coming full circle when she retired from J.P. McCaskey High School. She shared her love of books, literature, grammar and spelling with students.
Throughout her career, Susan became friends with many folks in education. She enjoyed getting together with her "Title One Crew," friends of forty-plus years, to play games, laugh and talk. She also kept in touch with many dear friends from I.U. 13.
As a retiree, Susan volunteered as a reader for the Lancaster Blind Association. She also volunteered for many years doing clerical work for the Lancaster Bureaus of Police and Fire. She really enjoyed and supported her "fuzzy, furry friends," the Lancaster police dogs and mounted police horses.
After downsizing to an apartment at Woodcrest Villa Retirement Community, Susan enjoyed meeting new neighbors and making new friends. The kindness extended by the Pheasant Point neighbors and friends at Woodcrest as well as the professional staff at the Mennonite Home was much appreciated during her illness.
Susan was always game for any social occasion, whether it be a school play, family get-together, game night, or meal out at a favorite restaurant. She loved to chat and always kept everyone updated on the latest celebrity gossip, as she rarely missed an issue of People Magazine. She was a prolific reader and kept lists of interesting words, phrases and names she came across - British slang was a particular favorite. Susan was also a gifted crafter - she sewed clothes and costumes for her children, and completed elaborate counted cross-stitch projects for her family. She also took great pride in writing irreverent poems for her family's birthdays.
Sharply intelligent, fun, creative and supportive, Susan was a wonderful mother to her children, Jedd Berntheizel and Matthew Berntheizel of Columbia, and Julie E. Berntheizel Caldwell and husband James Caldwell of Conestoga. She was the best and most fun Nana to Molly and Chris Hamlin of Lancaster and Sarah and Kyle Mongeau of Columbia. Susan was Super Nana (when just plain Nana wouldn't suffice) to Patrick and Charlotte Mongeau, her "icing on the cake" great grandchildren. She was a loving Aunt to Allison Swift, Miguel Lopez and Olivia Lopez of Lancaster, as well as other scattered nieces and nephews. This feisty, courageous, lovely woman will be missed by all who knew and loved her!
Susan attended Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. To honor her life, there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut St., Lancaster, PA February 10, 2024. There will be no viewing, however friends can visit with the family from beginning at 10:00 a.m. with the service starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Columbia Animal Shelter (columbiaanimalshelter.com) or Lancaster Public Library (lancasterpubliclibrary.org).
