Susan D. Woodworth, 60, was born in Montreal, Canada. While her body completed its time on this earth on September 3, 2016, her soul, with all its colorful, vibrant energy, will continue to live in and around us.
She is survived by her husband Bob Kersten, her children and their families, Gideon, Liz and Wyatt Frisbee, Chelsea Frisbee and Silas Branson, and Bob’s son Kris and his family Kate and Sadie Kersten. Sue is survived by her parents Don and Earla Woodworth, her brother and his family, Greg, Carolyn, Sara and Hilary Woodworth, and her brother Gordon Woodworth; her former husband, father of her children, Ron Frisbee and his family; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and a universe of friends.
Her friend Martha said, “This is how I think of you – always positive, always finding what is good and divine, within the complexities of everything that is difficult.”
Sue was easily fascinated by life. She loved a good snowstorm; buying and planting her spring flowers and her fall mums; writing and receiving mail and thank you notes; making and sharing good soups, muffins and homemade gifts; campfires, snowshoeing, swimming and inner-tube floating in her pond; traveling on new roads, long walks and talks with Bob. She spoke to every dog she met. She loved learning from old people and babies, and everyone in between. Living at “Goose Landing” on Burr Pond was her happiest place ever.
After graduating with a BA in English from Middlebury College in 1978, her life was engaged in ministry, through a wide variety of meaningful work: Henderson Settlement, Frakes, KY; United Ministry’s Play School in Delhi; Director of Delaware Opportunities’ Big Buddy Program; Campus Minister at Hartwick College and SUNY Oneonta; Activities Director at Countryside Care Center, Delhi; Children’s Program Facilitator at the Daniel Pierce Library in Grahamsville, and then as a Licensed Local Pastor, serving the Andes, Hurleyville and Woodridge UMCs.
She retired in December 2015 from Silver Bay YMCA, where she served as Host of Brookside/Trinity Pastoral Respite Ministry. When she was diagnosed with cancer three months after retiring, she vowed to continue living fully and intentionally. She asks that you honor and remember her best by living your life fully and intentionally with kindness and compassion.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Sue’s life will be held at the United Ministry of Delhi, on the Courthouse Square, in Delhi NY, on Saturday, September 17th, at 11 AM. The family will greet attendees from 9:30 — 10:30 AM prior to the service in the Harder Room. All are invited to a reception following the service in McIntosh Hall. Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 16th from 5 – 7 PM at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Sue’s name may be made to Henderson Settlement (www.hendersonsettlement.com), PO Box 205, 16773 Highway 190, Frakes KY 40940; to The Intervale Center, (www. intervale.org) 180 Intervale Road, Burlington VT 05401; to The United Ministry of Delhi, PO Box 111, Delhi, NY 13753.
Arrangements are under the care of Anthony Perito, Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, Woodbourne, NY. Susan D. Woodworth — 1956-2016