Sue Shirley "Suzie" Althouse was loved dearly by her family and many friends in the United States and Japan. Suzie, 97, passed gently from this life to the next on November 30, 2025, at the Nazareth Home in Louisville, KY, with her brother and niece close by. Suzie led a life full of giving to others. She had a strong faith, a generous spirit, and a great love for people, nature, travel and outdoor adventures which was captured in her gifted photography and her animated story-telling.
Suzie grew up in Gladwyne, PA, graduating from Lower Merion High School in 1946. She received a B.A. in 1950 from Maryville College and an M.A. from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1954. She began her service as a missionary in Japan for the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1955 and continued for 38 years. She first served in Kanazawa, teaching English and leading children's programs. In 1966, she transferred to Matsuyama, on the island of Shikoku, to conduct leadership education and develop teaching materials. In 1977, she joined the faculty of Seiwa College in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, where she taught Christian and leadership education until her retirement. An insightful and humorous account of her missionary life can be found on YouTube in the Presbyterian Historical Society's interview "Living History-Sue Althouse." While in Japan, she published a book in 1985 titled Kyokai no Matsuri to Gyoji no Iwaikata (How to Celebrate the Feasts and Special Occasions of the Church). While abroad, she traveled widely and formed deep friendships around the world.
After retirement, she returned to Gladwyne, PA, to care for her mother, Mary Althouse, until her mother's passing in 1998. In Gladwyne, Suzie was a vibrant part of the community. She was an active member of Gladwyne Presbyterian Church, helped grow and harvest the community garden, and volunteered at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia. She also continued to travel with family members and friends from across the U.S. and Japan. In 2018, Suzie moved to Louisville, KY, to live closer to family. As always, she quickly made new friends at The Forum at Brookside and at the Nazareth Home Highlands.
Sue Shirley Althouse is predeceased by her parents, Warren and Mary Althouse, and by her brother, George Althouse. She is survived by her brother, Howard Althouse, his children, Cheryl Bradley, Leslie Hartel, Lori Revell, Bruce Althouse and Eric Althouse, 22 great and great-great nieces and nephews and other relatives including special cousins, Robert Cooper, Sue Cooper and Edie Drebot. The family will hold a private memorial at Cave Hill Cemetery when the flowers are blooming in the spring.
Suzie loved this poem (poet unconfirmed) and wanted it shared:
I walk alone over a trackless desert
No matter how far I go, there is only sand.
Then I hear a voice like a whisper,
"Tired friend, come to me."
My bare feet burn from the scorching sand.
My throat is parched; I feel my life slipping away.
I hear a soft, gentle voice,
"Come to the spring of life, and drink."
I am exhausted, with no home to which to return.
This hopeless body wants to give up and die.
I hear a strong, clear voice,
"Return to God your Father."
Donations in Suzie's memory may be made to your favorite charity.
Suzie grew up in Gladwyne, PA, graduating from Lower Merion High School in 1946. She received a B.A. in 1950 from Maryville College and an M.A. from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1954. She began her service as a missionary in Japan for the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1955 and continued for 38 years. She first served in Kanazawa, teaching English and leading children's programs. In 1966, she transferred to Matsuyama, on the island of Shikoku, to conduct leadership education and develop teaching materials. In 1977, she joined the faculty of Seiwa College in Nishinomiya, Hyogo, where she taught Christian and leadership education until her retirement. An insightful and humorous account of her missionary life can be found on YouTube in the Presbyterian Historical Society's interview "Living History-Sue Althouse." While in Japan, she published a book in 1985 titled Kyokai no Matsuri to Gyoji no Iwaikata (How to Celebrate the Feasts and Special Occasions of the Church). While abroad, she traveled widely and formed deep friendships around the world.
After retirement, she returned to Gladwyne, PA, to care for her mother, Mary Althouse, until her mother's passing in 1998. In Gladwyne, Suzie was a vibrant part of the community. She was an active member of Gladwyne Presbyterian Church, helped grow and harvest the community garden, and volunteered at the Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia. She also continued to travel with family members and friends from across the U.S. and Japan. In 2018, Suzie moved to Louisville, KY, to live closer to family. As always, she quickly made new friends at The Forum at Brookside and at the Nazareth Home Highlands.
Sue Shirley Althouse is predeceased by her parents, Warren and Mary Althouse, and by her brother, George Althouse. She is survived by her brother, Howard Althouse, his children, Cheryl Bradley, Leslie Hartel, Lori Revell, Bruce Althouse and Eric Althouse, 22 great and great-great nieces and nephews and other relatives including special cousins, Robert Cooper, Sue Cooper and Edie Drebot. The family will hold a private memorial at Cave Hill Cemetery when the flowers are blooming in the spring.
Suzie loved this poem (poet unconfirmed) and wanted it shared:
I walk alone over a trackless desert
No matter how far I go, there is only sand.
Then I hear a voice like a whisper,
"Tired friend, come to me."
My bare feet burn from the scorching sand.
My throat is parched; I feel my life slipping away.
I hear a soft, gentle voice,
"Come to the spring of life, and drink."
I am exhausted, with no home to which to return.
This hopeless body wants to give up and die.
I hear a strong, clear voice,
"Return to God your Father."
Donations in Suzie's memory may be made to your favorite charity.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sue Shirley Althouse, please visit our flower store.
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