Susan Virginia Eckenrode

Susan Virginia Eckenrode lived a life defined by compassion, service, and a steadfast devotion to the people around her.

Susan Virginia Eckenrode, 69, of Tampa, Florida, died in hospice care on January 30, 2026, after a long battle with multiple cancers, most recently Stage IV metastatic breast cancer. For more than 15 years, she faced illness with determination while continuing to care for others with remarkable generosity.

Born April 25, 1956, at Tampa General Hospital, Susan remained a proud Tampa native throughout her life, deeply connected to the community she would spend decades serving.

She is survived by Raymond Halin, her husband and the love of her life; her daughter, Terra Hall; son-in-law Edward Felix; and her beloved grandson, Lenox Felix. She is further survived by her sisters, Deborah "Debbie" Burns (Todd), of Brandon, and Judith "Judy" Slusser (Robert) of Debary, and her brother, William "Bill" Eckenrode of Winter Park, along with many cherished nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends whose lives were brighter because she was part of them.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Romaine Eberly and Claude Vincent Eckenrode, and by her unborn daughter, Geena Ann - a loss that quietly shaped the depth of her empathy and informed the way she loved.

Susan devoted her professional life to nursing, bringing not only clinical expertise but a rare and abiding compassion to every patient in her care. She treated both patients and their families with dignity, tenderness, and unwavering attention, offering comfort in moments that often felt unbearable. Time and again, she stepped toward the people others hesitated to approach - caring for patients living with HIV/AIDS at the height of the epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s, when fear and stigma kept many at a distance; decades later, she tended to patients during the uncertainty and heartbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Susan did not turn away from suffering; she met it with courage, empathy, and a steady presence that reminded those in her care that they were never alone.

During her decades-long career, Susan served patients in intensive care, case management, and interventional radiology at University Community Hospital before retiring from James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital. Caring for veterans held special meaning for her and reflected her enduring respect for those who served their country.

A graduate of Chamberlain High School (1974), she went on to earn her nursing degree from Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta in 1978, beginning a career that would touch countless lives. Years later, she earned her master's degree as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner from the University of Tampa, reflecting a deep commitment to professional growth and excellence.

Service continued to shape Susan's life throughout her retirement. She volunteered at St. Joseph's Hospital, served with Feeding Tampa Bay, supported the Tampa General Hospital Food Pharmacy, and dedicated time to her grandson's school, Patel Elementary, where she worked in the library, assisted in classrooms, and accompanied field trips. A firm believer in the power of education, she shared her lifelong love of reading with the students whose lives she touched.

Even as cancer progressed, her dedication to caring for others never wavered.

When asked how she wished to be remembered, her answer was simple: "Kindness."

Those who knew her experienced that kindness through her generosity, easy conversation, steady encouragement, and contagious laughter.

Susan never met a stranger - a quality noted as early as childhood report cards that observed her talkative nature. People felt comfortable around her. Seen. Welcomed.

She carried herself with grit and warmth, equal parts fierce and tender, sensitive and strong. Her attention remained directed toward others, and her capacity to care extended far beyond her profession.

Family anchored Susan's life and brought her immense pride.

Having found each other later than either would have wished, Susan and Ray filled their years together with biking, travel, concerts, and a shared appreciation for everyday joys. Their partnership reflected deep companionship and gratitude for the time they shared.

Susan shared an extraordinarily close bond with her daughter, Terra. Some people spend their lives searching for their soulmate; Terra was fortunate to be born to hers. Their relationship was marked by fierce loyalty, trust, laughter, and a love that shaped both of their lives in lasting ways.

Reflecting on her life, Susan answered without hesitation when naming her happiest day: "Probably when my daughter was born... I think when she was born was the happiest day of my life."

If becoming a mother defined her life, becoming a grandmother expanded it beyond measure.

Susan considered her grandson, Lenox, her proudest achievement and one of life's greatest joys.

Being an Oma to Lenox allowed her to savor childhood with presence and intention - volunteering at his school, showing up for events, playing games, and creating memories that will endure across generations.

Love for Lenox brought immeasurable light to her life.

When asked what she hoped he would carry forward, her words reflected clarity and urgency: "Don't let life get in the way. Be happy... life is so short."

Susan spoke just as clearly about the lesson life taught her: "The most important lesson I've learned in my life is live your life. Do not wait for your life because your life will not come to you. You have to go to your life."

She lived with openness and curiosity. Her travels carried her across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, and South America, while fulfilling a lifelong dream of going on safari in Tanzania with her daughter and grandson became a particularly cherished memory.

At home, Susan found joy in gardening and cultivating butterfly habitats, reading and participating in book club at the Temple Terrace Library, attending live music with her husband, traveling with her daughter and son-in-law, and spending treasured time with her grandson, Lenox, whose presence brought her endless pride and happiness. She also delighted in caring for her animals and leaves behind her cherished cats, Chemo and Skye Skye.

Late in life, Susan reflected on the swift passage of time, a realization that deepened her commitment to embracing each day. Speaking candidly about death, she described it as "unfair," "sad," and "messy," meeting it with the same honesty that defined her life.

Susan's legacy endures in the people she cared for, the family she cherished, and the many lives made gentler through her compassion.

In keeping with Susan's wishes, there will be no funeral. She believed that death should reflect the spirit of a life well lived - and hers was vibrant, joyful, and full of connection. Instead, family and friends will gather for a party in her honor on April 25, 2026, which would have been her 70th birthday. Those interested in attending are invited to email [email protected] for additional details.