Lois "Suzy" Suzanne McCormack

McCormack, Suzy (Lois Suzanne), nee Benson (62) of Aurora, North Carolina, passed away on Friday August 22, 2025 at CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern NC, from complications of recent health issues. Suzy was born August 28, 1962 in Roanoke VA. Suzy graduated from Christiansburg High School, Christiansburg VA in 1980 as an honor student and recognized by the National Honor Society. Suzy was active in High School as a cheerleader all four years, being co-captain as a senior, and earning recognition at the Golden Eagle cheerleader camp as the most outstanding cheerleader in the state, prior to her senior year. She also played on the tennis team. After high school she went on to earn a B.A. in Mathematics and Sociology from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond in 1984, followed by a Masters at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences of The George Washington University in 1989. Suzy excelled in educational studies, being very astute and eager to learn.

Professionally, Suzy gained employment at several Aerospace companies in the Annapolis MD and Washington DC areas, including being co-owner of a Systems Engineering and Technical Assessment company for several years supporting the Department of Defense. In 2001, while working for the Photon company, she was contracted to the Boeing company in support of the Missile Defense program and met Stephen McCormack, a Boeing employee from Kansas also working the Missile Defense program. In 2003 they accepted job offers from L3 Aeromet in Tulsa, OK supporting the Missile Defense program. Suzy worked in the Finance Department and Stephen in the Engineering Department.

They were married 12 February 2005 at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church. They resided in Broken Arrow OK and developed many lasting friendships in the Tulsa area. They changed their church home to First Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, where Suzy taught children’s Sunday school and Vacation Bible School and volunteered assisting the church staff during the week; Stephen served as a Deacon for three years and an Usher. Both contributed in many other facets of church activities and events.

After retiring they moved to Aurora NC in 2001 and joined the Richland Township Senior Club and Pamlico County Presbyterian Church. Suzy was a proud ‘cradle’ Presbyterian, and devout Christian. She was vivacious and loved people, was empathic, kind and had a big heart; and would go out of her way to help someone. She could talk to anyone anywhere. When engaged with someone in conversation she was totally focused on that person. Suzy loved traveling, having been to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Berlin, Greece, Italy, Cozumel, Los Cabos, and other interesting places. Suzy doted on her cats and was rarely without one or two, they were her babies, but she loved all animals. When going to someone’s home she would gravitate straight to the pets.

Suzy was pre-deceased by her parents and step-parents William and Elsie Benson Sr. and Brenda Benson and George Cochran, and step-son Bryan McCormack. Suzy is survived by her husband Stephen McCormack, daughter Stephanie Cavanaugh (Peyton) of El Paso TX, brother William Benson Jr (Doris) of Deltaville, VA, sister Stephanie Cornett (Bill) of Charlotte, NC, Aunts: Barbara Waters of Lyndhurst VA, Rhae Asper of Gainesville GA, Uncles: George Meers (Jenny) of Land O’ Lakes FL, and Russell Meers (Mathilda) of Charlotte NC. Additionally, she has two step-sons Eric McCormack (Jerre) of Wichita KS, Jason McCormack (Tamika) of Wichita KS and seven step-grandchildren (Chayton Jay, Takoda Jay, Braelyn Jay, Adelyn White, Cory Brinkley, Jordan Relf, Ethan Relf, and Bryson McCormack); Suzy also has seven nephews and nieces: Lyndie Funk (Andrew) of Denver CO, William Benson III (Shima) of Frisco TX, Arthur Benson (Carisha) of Lebanon TN, Alexandra Benson of Dearborn MI, Bryant Cornett of Houston TX, William Cornett (Allison) of Catania Italy, and James Cornett of Charlotte NC. Suzy has ten cousins: Rick Waters (Pat) of Richmond VA, Debbie Yoho (Allen) of Roseland VA, Gretchen Mangone (Robert) of Hamilton NJ, Dorothy Stebbing (Todd) of Urbanna VA, Julia Toole (Bill) of Lutz FL, John Meers (Sarah) of Land O’ Lakes FL, Whitney Meers of Brooklyn NY, Crystal Meers-Miller (Murray) of Sag Harbor NY, Zack Meers of Detroit MI, and Jayden Asper of Jacksonville FL.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, September 13th at Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home, located at 52 Bryant Street, Alliance NC 28509; a reception is planned TBD. A memorial gift may be made to Pamlico Presbyterian Church 1085 Kershaw Rd, Oriental, NC 28571. The service will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend but want to take part in it. The link will be at the bottom of her obituary page.