Mrs. Mary Susanne (Sue) Matlack, 86, of Harbor Point, Hartwell, departed for glory Monday, September 29, 2025, surrounded by her immediate family.  She loved music, and was especially grateful for the many opportunities over the years to sing in the church and community choirs, lead bible study praise sessions, play piano for children's and women's groups, play the violin in the community orchestra and play the drums in high school.  Sue believed that there was a song for virtually every moment in life and would often lift her voice to share them with those around her.  She also treasured the opportunities to lift her voice as a prayer warrior at church fellowship groups` and bible studies.

Sue was born on January 20, 1939, in Canada of two American parents, the late Jacob H. Mahla and the late Helen Josephine Mahla.  As an adult, she chose U.S. citizenship and cherished the fact that she was an American citizen.  She loved to wear the red, white and blue, celebrate those who serve our country with fireworks, flags and song, and supported many veteran organizations.  She was preceded in death by her sister Helen and her brother Gil.

She also loved education.  She received her first degree from the University of Delaware and received her Masters Degree from Governors State University in University Park, IL.  She dedicated her career to encouraging Kindergarteners, 1st graders and 2nd graders to seek knowledge with music, the 'three R's' and creative exploration, facilitating her students' knowledge of nature with experiences like hatching chickens and ducks in incubators, and investigating different cultures and foods.

Sue is survived by her daughter, Camille Matlack, and her sons John Matlack Jr. (Renee) and Dan Matlack; her grandsons Johnathon (Moxie), Joshua, Jordan, Chase and Tyler Matlack; adopted grandson Bobby Mitchell and great-grandson Milo Matlack.  Her husband, John Doughty Matlack, preceded her to glory.

Mrs. Matlack wished to be cremated and a memorial celebrating her life will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one of the organizations Sue admired and supported: Pacific Garden Mission [www.pgm.org/donate] or Tunnels to Towers [www.T2T.org], or to her church home Hartwell First Methodist Church [www.hartwellfirstmethodist.com/giving].

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.