O’Connor,Susanne

October 12, 2014
CARBONDALE — Susanne Marie O’Connor White, 60, passed away at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 2014, at her home in Carbondale after an extended illness.

Susanne was born May 26, 1954, to John (Jack) O’Connor and Bette (DeWulf) O’Connor.

Susanne grew up and attended school in Davenport, Iowa. In 1972, she graduated from Davenport Central. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Iowa in 1975.

After graduation she worked in public schools and commercial banking in Florida and Iowa. In 1994, she completed a Master of Science in education with a major in curriculum and instruction from SIU. Susanne was an avid reader and a volunteer worker in schools and public libraries.

In August 1988, Susanne was united in marriage to Lyle White. After a one-year stay in Houston, Texas, they moved to Carbondale where Lyle obtained a faculty position at SIU. Susanne spent the remainder of her life devoted to the loving and rearing of her two daughters.

Susanne is survived by her husband; daughters, Glynnis of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Allison of Iowa City; brother, James, and sister-in-law, Sherrie of Donahue, Iowa; sister, Mary Ellen Phillips, and brother-in-law, Steven of Davenport; brother, Dennis, and sister-in-law, Karen, also of Davenport; and sister-in-law, Beverly (White) Otto of Park Ridge.

Susanne was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Kathleen.

Private family services will be planned for a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America HDSA, 505 Eighth Ave., Suite 902 New York, New York 10018 or Carbondale Public Library, 405 W. Main St., Carbondale, IL 62901.