Susan “Sue” Jane Houser, daughter of the late Victor E. and Mary L. (Quickel) Bailey of York, PA, entered into Heaven to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 4:45 PM with her children by her side after a brief COVID illness. She was 72 years old. She is survived by her children, Gretchen A. Houser-Benner (wife of Marc Benner) of Mount Joy, Lancaster County, and Andrew J. Houser of Wrightsville, York County. She leaves behind two brothers, Ronald E. Bailey (husband of Jeanne Yeager Bailey) of Lancaster County, and Barry L. Bailey of Clinton, MA – she called them “my boys.” She also leaves behind three grandchildren, Joshua Sipe, Brittany Muckel, and Donald Muckel, and two great-grandchildren, Ariana and Scarlette, whom she absolutely loved and adored and would light-up every time she held them or played with them. She additionally leaves behind a number of nephews, nieces, cousins, an aunt, much extended family, and many friends and people who knew her and loved her.
Susan was born on July 09, 1949, in York, PA, and grew up on Princess Street. She was a 1967 graduate of William Penn High School. After marrying and raising a family, Susan went back to school and graduated with an Associate’s Degree from York Technical Institute in York, PA, in 1997. Susan then worked for Strausser Surveying & Engineering Inc. in Lancaster County, GGS Information Services in York County, and Case New Holland N.A. in Lancaster County.
She was a custodian for Kreutz Creek Presbyterian Church in Hellam, PA, for over 12 years. In 2005-2006 she started the traveling homeless shelter in Columbia, PA, where she served as Director. In 2009-2010, she served on the Board of Directors with Hands Across the Street. Susan was instrumental in getting both programs established for the local community and was very dedicated to their success.
In 2010, she began working in food services for Crossmark at Sam’s Club in East York, PA, and studied for and received her food safety inspection certification. She has been a common fixture at Sam’s Club since then, getting to know many of the members who visited regularly.
She was a member of and volunteered her time with the East Prospect Fire Company in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, holding positions as Secretary, Vice President, and assistant chairperson for Horror Hollow for over 10 years. In that time, she also chaired East Prospect’s Memorial Day Celebration Weekend and was parade master for many years. She additionally worked the voting polls in East Prospect, and volunteered as a Girl Scout Leader and helped with Cub Scouts and 4-H.
Sue was a servant of God and her faith was one of the most important things to her. She was a member of Zion United Methodist Church in East Prospect, PA, since 1980 where she had served as a Trustee and was on the Counting Team for many years.
Sue loved crocheting and doing crafts, loved animals and the beauty of nature. She loved plants in her house and her flower garden in her backyard. Her infectious giggle would make anyone laugh with her. She was very social and loved talking to people. She was strong-willed and independent, yet had a huge heart and was always willing to help anyone and was very giving of herself. She touched many, many lives and will be missed by many people.
Visitors are welcome to meet the family at Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home, 519 Walnut Street, Columbia, PA, on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, from 4-6 PM, followed by a service and celebration of life. For visitors concerned about attending a viewing and her COVID status, we have been assured that proper preparations will be made and this is now known to be a safe practice. Susan’s remains will be cremated per her wishes, and a private interment will be held on a later date at Mount Rose Cemetery in York, where she will be laid to rest with her parents and other family members who had preceded her in death.
In lieu of flowers, Susan requested that donations be sent to the donor’s favorite charity or to Zion United Methodist Church in East Prospect, PA. Arrangements by the Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home.
