Suzanne R. Ackerman

1948 - 2023

Suzanne R. Weigand Ackerman, 74, of Mechanicsburg and formerly of Pottsville, passed away peacefully May 20 at Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, Enola.

Born Nov. 9, 1948, in Pottsville, she was a daughter of the late Robert L. and Helen R. (Klinger) Weigand.

She was a 1966 graduate of Pottsville High School. She then graduated from Shippensburg University, where she earned a B.S. in both library science and German; and West Chester University, where she earned a master's in educational media.

Suzanne worked as a library/media specialist for 34 years at Darby-Colwyn Sr. High School and Penn Wood High School in the William Penn School District, Lansdowne. She lived in the Queen Village section of Philadelphia and Glenn Mills before retiring to Mechanicsburg in 2006.

She was an active member of the following organizations: Access PA Consortium; Penn Wood High School Cabinet; Middle States Steering Committee and Visiting Committee; Library Curriculum Committee and Long Range Plan Committee. Her professional memberships included: Pennsylvania Learning Resources Association, where she served as conference workshop presenter and activities director for two years, also on the registration committee; Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, where she was a conference workshop presenter; Pennsylvania Association for Educational Communications and Technology, where she was a presenter; and Delaware County School Librarians Association, where she served as secretary for two years. Suzanne received the William Penn School District Service Award, PAECT Student Media Showcase Award and published articles for the Media and Methods. Sue was well-traveled and truly enjoyed being with all of her new and oldest friends and, of course, her Mechanicsburg Book Club!

In addition to her parents, Suzanne was preceded in death by her brother, Richard W. Beddow, Tobago, West Indies, and her beloved cats, Sophie and Blackie.

Suzanne is survived by niece, Brigitte Parvin, wife of James, and their children, Tristan, Caroline and Sebastian, Enola; nephew, Richard W. Beddow II, husband of Melinda, and their children, Leyland and Brayden, Mechanicsburg; and Richard's daughter, Ashlyn, Harrisburg.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 15 at Lord-Bixler Funeral Home Inc., 1818 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, with the Rev. Dr. Kurt Kovalovich officiating. The family requests contributions in Suzanne's memory be sent to Charles Baber Cemetery, 200 Second St., Pottsville, PA 17901; or Pottsville Free Public Library, 215 W. Market St., Pottsville, PA 17901; or Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901. Lord-Bixler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com.