Susan Jean Rathbun Neal

1953 - 2017

Neal Susan Jean Rathbun Neal, 63, passed away in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, June 24, 2017. Susan was born in Columbus, Ohio on November 21, 1953, and met her husband, Scott on their first day of classes at Capital University where Susan studied music and education. After graduating from Capital in 1975, Susan began her career teaching English, language arts, music and theatre arts to students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. She spent the last 23 years at The Columbus Academy, where she was the director of theatre arts, in charge of directing the middle school and upper school musicals. Susan was gifted with a lovely soprano voice. She was a past member of the Columbus Symphony Choir, Opera Columbus Chorus, a section leader at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, and Trinity Episcopal Church, and a choir director at churches and schools. She often sang at Riverside Bible Church where she was a member and directed the church choir. Susan was preceded in death by her parents Donald H. and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Rathbun, who loved her from the moment she was born, who valued education, music, beauty, and nature, and who spent their lives in service to others while living out their Christian faith. She is survived by her husband, Scott J. Neal (best husband in the world); her two daughters, Jennifer Neal Bardavid (Jonathan) of Goldens Bridge, New York, and Miranda E. Krysty of Worthington, Ohio; sister, Margaret A. Graham of Logan, Ohio; brother, David H. Rathbun of Pawling, New York; four grandchildren, Estella and Neal Krysty, and their father Brad Krysty, and Gabrielle and Harrison Bardavid; dear aunts, Muriel Rathbun Mercer of Presque Isle, Michigan, Jean Hosier of Montgomery, Michigan and Marietta Rathbun of Northville, Michigan. Friends may call 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna. A Memorial Service to Celebrate Susan's Life will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, June 29 at Riverside Bible Church, 5330 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43235. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Columbus Academy Theatre Program or the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University. To share memories and condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com