In the summers, Susie’s family enjoyed “lake-life” at Fair Haven Bay where she loved sailing with her Father and sister Carolyn, and became an accomplished racer in her Rhodes Bantam sailboat.
After earning an Associates Degree in Communications, Susie followed her dream of getting involved in TV and Radio. She first worked in TV at Channel 9 in Syracuse, and later moved to WSYR Radio in Syracuse where she hosted her own radio show called, “A Date with Susie” with music and fun conversations. Susie chased her dreams of being one of the few female radio-hosts in the early 60’s and found wonderful success at an early age.
Susie had two children, Winston and Laura, and without a doubt committed her life to her children. She raised her family in Fayetteville, NY after a brief beginning in Camillus, NY. As a mother, she was loving and supportive and always encouraged her kids to pursue their passions. She never missed a game, a gymnastic meet, a school event, a life milestone, or a birthday. She was very protective of her kids and her family as they were her world. Her career while raising her children was selling residential real estate with majority of her career alongside her friends at Coldwell-Banker Burlingame. In 2005 she celebrated the arrival of her first grandson, Carson and in 2011 her second grandson, Bryce. Through Susie’s presence and keen wisdom, she instilled her strong values of kindness, giving, family, friendship, temperament and love in her kids and grandkids.
In the mid-1980’s Susie became a snow-bird and spent half of the year in Naples, Florida where she developed a strong group of friends, jumped into volunteer activities, travel opportunities and a created a welcoming gathering spot for family. The flowers and overall beauty of the Naples area brought her tremendous happiness and vibrancy.
Outside of her family, Susie was fully engaged in her community. She was a proud member of both the Onondaga Golf and Country Club and the Century Club in Syracuse and Club Pelican Bay, in Naples, Florida. She was a long-term active member of St. David’s Church in DeWitt, NY. She was a dedicated volunteer in Syracuse at the Syracuse Garden Club, The Everson Museum, Oakwood Cemetery and the Junior League. In Florida, she was a member of the Naples Botanical Garden, The League Club and the Naples Garden Club where she was a talented participant in the annual flower competitions proudly brought home the blue ribbon many times. She was one of the founding bundles-of-energy that started “Footloose and Fancy Free”, a fun group of single, divorced, widowed women who frequently gathered to enjoy comradery and the beauty, food and entertainment in the Naples area.
Susie was many things to many people: a mother, a grandmother, a sister, a friend, a mentor, a dog-lover, and a leader. She had a marvelous and humble selflessness that was deeply rooted in her character and demonstrated by her care for her family, her commitment to her volunteer work, her creative floral designs, her detailed trips she organized for the Everson Museum, and the joy shared with selling homes. She loved knowing she was providing wonderful experiences for others.
Susie lost her battle against cancer two weeks after a diagnosis and spent her last two weeks in Crouse Hospital. She and her family thank the teams in the Crouse Hospital Emergency Department, and the Cardiac Floor on 4North.
Susie is survived by her son Everett Winston Rodormer, daughter Laura Rodormer, grandsons Carson Rodormer and Bryce Rodormer, her sisters Carolyn (Milton) Frye and Ellen Ganey.
A funeral will be held on Wednesday, December 13 at 10:00am at St. David’s Church, 14 Jamar Dr, Fayetteville, NY 13066, with a reception immediately following in the St. David’s Church parish hall.
Donations in Susie Estabrook’s honor may be directed to the Syracuse Garden Club, PO Box 6, Manlius, NY 13104, [email protected] (315-682-8697) or the Naples Garden Club, c/o Carole Whittemore, 2064 Isla Vista Lane, Naples, FL 34105.