Susan Clayton

Susan Clayton, affectionately known by many as "Gram," "Miss Susie," or "Susie Q," passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, in Ocoee, Florida, at the age of 71. Her warmth, generosity, and vibrant spirit touched countless lives and left an enduring legacy of love and kindness. She was tough, she was a fighter and throughout the trials of her illness she never lost her good sprits.

Born Susan Carol Springer on September 24, 1953, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, she spent her formative years in Wilmington, Delaware. A proud graduate of McKean High School's Class of 1971, Susan carried the friendships and memories from those early years with her throughout her life. It was also in 1971 that she met the love of her life, Donald Clayton, their friendship blossomed into a lifelong partnership. They were married in November 1973 and shared over five decades of love, laughter, and adventure.

In January 1985, Susan and her family relocated from Delaware to Florida, where she would go on to build a remarkable career at Walt Disney World. Over the course of more than 25 years, Susan held various roles at The Yacht and Beach Club Resort, Disney University, The Grand Floridian Resort, and The Contemporary Resort. Her dedication and hard work were recognized when she received the prestigious Partners In Excellence Award-an honor that reflected not only her professional achievements but also the deep respect she earned from colleagues across the company. Her children often joked that "Mom can't go anywhere on Disney property without running into someone she knows!"-a testament to the many friendships she cultivated during her time there.

Beyond her work at Disney, Susan was deeply committed to serving others. She was a regular volunteer at The Ocoee Christian Center, supporting and giving back to her community. She also gave generously of her time to support the West Orange High School Band while her daughter was a student. Her selflessness and compassion were evident in every aspect of her life; she was always ready to lend a hand or offer a listening ear.

Susan's greatest joy came from her family. She is survived by her beloved husband Donald Clayton; daughter Sara Beazley and son-in-law Jason Beazley; son Andrew Clayton and daughter-in-law Stephanie Clayton; and her cherished grandchildren Henry Clayton and Alice Clayton as well as five grand-cats and one grand-hamster. She was preceded in death by her mother Elinor Fox Springer; father Harold T. Springer; brother Steve Springer; father-in-law Sheldon Clayton; and mother-in-law Ernestine Clayton.

"Gram" held a special place in the hearts of her two grandchildren Henry and Alice. Together they shared countless hours making arts and crafts, baking cookies, reading stories, decorating for the holidays especially the Christmas village and Easter decor, dancing around the living room, exploring "Pop's Garden," creating memory boards, snuggling and sharing giggles over funny tales with "Pop." These moments were treasures that will live on in their hearts forever.

Susan had many passions that brought color to her life. A talented baton twirler in her youth, she remained creative throughout her life through needlepoint projects and gardening. She loved photographing the native flowers in Florida and in "Pop's Garden,"as well capturing photos of gators, native birds, insects and other critters as on her "truck trips" with Pop and the grandkids. She even took classes on how to help the monarch butterfly populations, assisting their cocoons and documenting their hatching process. Her love of music she shared with her husband Don and spent endless hours listening to The Beatles, Neil Young, James Taylor and the Eagles. She adored Florida living-spending sun-drenched days at Cocoa Beach and Ormond Beach or strolling hand-in-hand with Don along the Gulf of Mexico collecting seashells and watching sunsets. Their timeshare in Siesta Key became a beloved retreat for quiet getaways and spontaneous "truck trips" exploring new places together.

An avid reader with an insatiable love for Stephen King novels, Susan shared this passion with her best friend Lorri "Scarlett." Her devotion even led her to Casey Key in hopes of catching a glimpse of the author himself-a playful example of her spirited nature.

Susan was more than a wife, mother, grandmother, or friend-she was a guiding light to many. Known for being fun-loving yet deeply thoughtful and beautifully sentimental, she had an innate ability to make others feel seen and heard. Whether offering advice or simply listening without judgment, Susan was someone people turned to for comfort and understanding.

Her absence leaves an immeasurable void in the lives of those who knew her. Yet even as we mourn her passing, we celebrate the extraordinary life she lived-a life filled with joy, compassion, laughter, service, creativity, unwavering love and forceful spirit.

Susan's final wishes were to have her ashes spread in two distinct locations. Both greatly loved and cherished by her. Her husband and children will see to honoring her.

A Celebration of Life ceremony is being planned for late 2025 with more details to follow.

May Susan's memory continue to bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.