Susan Marie Vanderwende

1943 - 2023

APP, Susan Marie Vanderwende, born June 28, 1943, in Bradford, Pa., departed this life on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at her home in Sandston, Va. She was the daughter of the late Richard H. and Margaret M. Vanderwende of Erie, Pa.; and was preceded in death by her brother, Chris R. Vanderwende. She is survived by Leon App, her husband of 56 years; her two sons, Michael and Eric (Rebecca); five grandchildren, Kathryn, Maximilian, Delilah, Henry, and Sebastian; her sister, Kathy Vanderwende of Erie, Pa., sister-in-law, Judy Vanderwende of Saegertown, Pa., sister-in-law, Phyllis Kogel of Sellersville, Pa.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Sue grew up in Erie, Pa., where she graduated from Millcreek High School in 1961. She graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in Science and worked as a biochemist for the Commonwealth of Virginia for the significant majority of her 40-year career, ensuring clean drinking water throughout the state. Out of a pure love for education, she also earned a second B.A., in Psychology, from the Regents University of N.Y. She was active in the PTA and Henrico County Public Schools' Lay Advisory Board for several years and was an active adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America. She was a faithful member of the Sandston Presbyterian Church for 56 years and attended regularly until she was no longer able. She loved gardening and horticulture, taking long walks and hiking, traveled throughout the U.S. to see the natural beauty of our National and State Parks, and through Europe to see the architectural and artistic wonders of the Old World. Her friends and family remember her fondly as a good conversationalist and a fiercely loyal and loving wife and mother. The family would like to thank Ruth and Algis Radzisauskas, Joyce Frank and her daughter Melissa, Angie Williams and the nurses of Bayada Hospice and Caregiver Services. A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Nelsen Funeral Home on Laburnum Avenue. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association (Alzheimer's Foundation of America - Donate (alzfdn.org)). Online condolences may be made at www.nelsenrichmond.com.