Susie B. (Walburn) VanNess

Susie B. VanNess, 75, of Athens Twp., PA passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 23, 2020 at her home.

She was born on June 23,1945 in Towanda, PA, the daughter of the late Guy Frank and Catherine (Gardner) Walburn.

Susie worked at the Robert Packer Hospital, retiring after 22 years and in Maintenance at Athens Area School District, retiring last year. She was rehired for this school year to help with the current guidelines the school must follow and was scheduled to start on Monday. She drove the school van for many years and was going to resume this year.

She loved her family especially hanging with her three great-grandchildren. Susie enjoyed knitting, puzzles, gardening and flowers, auctions, and yard sales. She loved going to the blueberry farm to pick blueberries and shared many quarts with her neighbors and friends.

Susie was an active member of the South Waverly Volunteer Fire Company and a long-time member of the Athens Township Volunteer Fire Company. She was always ready and available to help with fund raisers and any activity where volunteers were needed.  

She is predeceased by her husband Dennis James VanNess, grandson Chad Michael Stone Gillie, brothers Guy Walburn, Jr. and Joseph Walburn, and half-brothers Roger Congdon and David Gardner.

Susie is survived by her son James VanNess of Muncy, PA, daughter Melissa “Missy” VanNess of Athens, PA, and daughter and son-in-law Brandee and Timothy Gillie of Athens, PA, grandchildren James II, Loretta, Dennis, and Alexus VanNess, Katie Stone, Christofer “Chris” (Kristen) Stone, and Cody Stone, step-grandchildren Brittany Parmenter, Piper Gillie, and Australia “Aussie” Gillie,  great-grandchildren Keisha Stone, Trinity Stone, Lucas Stone, Savannah Stone, Arya Whelch, Peyton VanNess, and Kaydon Dimm. She is also survived by her brother James (Bonnie Ragan) Walburn of Canton, PA, many aunts and uncles, several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her 2 beloved pets Tinkerbell and Midnight.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at 2pm at the South Waverly Borough Hall Pavilion, 2523 Pennsylvania Avenue, South Waverly, PA with Fire Chaplain Linda Rogers officiating.

A Private Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Bradford County Memorial Park, Towanda, Pa.

Memorial donations may be made in Susie’s memory to: Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 225 South Main Street, Athens, PA to help the family offset the funeral expenses. Any monies received over the amount of the expenses will be donated to the South Waverly Volunteer Fire Company in South Waverly, PA.

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