Susan Finch Caskey

FORT MILL - Mrs. Caskey, 65, died Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, at Hospice & Community Care in Rock Hill, S.C. Susan was born on June 6, 1946, in Spartanburg, S.C., daughter of the late Dorothy Falls Finch and Bertram Carlos Finch Jr.

Susan was educated in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools, graduating from Myers Park High School and Stratford Junior College in Danville, Va., and attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated summa cum laude at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C.

Susan taught preschool and was the resource director for several years at Myers Park Presbyterian Church Weekday School. She then joined the CMS school system in 1988 at Myers Park Traditional School, where she taught for 21 years. Susan loved teaching children and brought her passion of teaching to the classroom. She had an inspiration that was experienced by all who had the privilege of being in her classroom. She felt that every child was unique and she inspired every child to succeed.

Susan was chosen as Teacher of the Year in 1994 and won the Lois B. Lee Award in 2008. Students chose her to be in Who's Who Among America's Teacher's in 1998, 2002, 2004 and 2005.

Susan's hobbies included traveling and reading but most of all, spending time with her family and friends.

Susan is survived by her husband, Pete Caskey of Fort Mill, S.C.; sons, Mark Owen and David Owen and wife, Amy, all of Charlotte; daughter, Melinda Alm and husband, Jens, of Sweden; stepdaughter, Meg Caskey Sarvis and husband, Will, of Fort Mill; ten grandchildren, Mark Owen Jr., James Owen, Reid Owen and twins, Madelyn and Coleman Owen, Greyson Thomas Owen, and Ella, Isabel and Benjamin Alm of Sweden and McLauren Sarvis; brothers, Dr. Bertram "Buddy" Finch and wife, Justine, of Charleston, S.C., David Finch and wife, Eddie Lynn, of Charlotte and Doug Finch and wife, Cathy, of Fuquay Varina, N.C.; sister, Dr. Melinda Finch Adkins and husband, Chuck, of Charlotte; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Susan always believed, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

A service to celebrate Susan's life will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Deborah Conner officiating. The family will receive friends in Providence Hall at the church following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cancer Research, Clinical Trials, Blumenthal Cancer Center, Carolinas Medical Center, 1000 Blythe Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28232 or to The Hospice & Community Care Facility of Rock Hill, P.O., Box 933, Rock Hill, SC 29731.

Please share condolences online at www.hankinswhittington.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service.