Elizabeth Susan “Sue” (Schmitt) Gerling

Sue Gerling passed away in the arms of her family at St. John’s Nursing Home, April 28th, 2022 at age 88 after a slow and difficult decline. Sue was predeceased by her sons Cary (Lynne), Mark and Peter Schmitt, and daughter Betsy (Russ) Hanson, husbands John A. Schmitt III and Bill Gerling, and brother, JoeWhite. Born in 1933 to parents John and Betty Sue White, in Philadelphia, PA, Sue was the oldest of 5 children. Susie was an independent and courageous woman. She faced much adversity in her adult life, including the loss of son Mark (age 2yr), a devastating house fire and raising 5 children, primarily on her own. After marrying young, she started college at MCC at age 33. As a single mother, she earned both B.A. and M.A. degrees at Nazareth College. Sue was a special education teacher in the Rochester City School District for 25 yrs, where she was also a RTA union leader. Among Sue’s passions was politics. She was heavily involved with the Democratic Party at the county and state level, attending several Democratic National Conventions, including Chicago 1968.

Sue is survived by her daughter, Katie (Don) Root and son, Christopher (Anne) Schmitt, sisters, Sally Ann Deveau and Elinore (Dave) Barry, and brother, Jay (Mary) White. Sue also leaves 7 wonderful grandchildren, Mike (Marci) Schmitt, Carolyn Bromagen, Katherine (Adam) Bendlin, Meredith Root, Mason Hanson, Mary (Jared) Powell and Christine Schmitt, along with great-grandsons, Max and Chase Schmitt, Wyatt, Grady and Blake Bendlin, and great-grandson Powell on the way!

Friends are invited to join us for a celebration of Sue’s life, with light refreshments Friday May 6th, 4-7pm at Joey B’s at Brickstone, 1325 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 12620. Memorial remarks at 5:30pm.

Friends wishing to honor Sue may consider a memorial donation in her name to GEVA Theatre, 75 Woodbury Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14607 (gevatheatre.org)

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