Obituaries

Susan E. Atherton, 76

February 05, 1945 - April 24, 2021

Susan E. Atherton, 76, of Lititz, passed away on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Lancaster General Hospital. Born in Port Chester, NY, she was the daughter of the late Frederic and Elizabeth (Pennock) Atherton.

Susie had a long career as a sales associate and assistant manager for both Waterford Crystal and Reed and Barton. She was also a selfless caretaker for her family and friends, always the first to step in to help a sick family member or pet. In her spare time, she loved gardening, cooking for her family, doing puzzles, and spending her summers with friends and family at Higgins Beach, Maine.

Family meant everything to Susie. She was a loving and devoted mother to her three children, Scott Oehrlein, husband of Molly, of Scarborough, ME; Frederic Oehrlein, husband of Justine, of Coatesville, PA; and Elizabeth Heim of Lancaster. Also surviving are her six wonderful grandchildren, Libby and Allison (Oehrlein), Kieran and Margaret (Heim), Anna and Otto (Oehrlein); and her beloved sister, Penny Wilson, wife of John of Sarasota, FL. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother John Atherton.

A memorial celebration will take place from 2 – 4 PM on Saturday, May 15, 2021, at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. Flowers will be received, as Susie was a great lover of all flowers.

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

May 14, 2021

Keith and I are so sorry for the loss of your mom and friend.  She is such a special lady.
Our Stephanie loved spending time at your house in School Valley.  Our love and prayers are with you all.
 

May 14, 2021

Betsy, Fred and Scott,
I remember as a little girl being so excited when the Oehrlein car arrived, your Mom’s great laugh met us we ran across the street to help you unpack. The other thing I loved about your Mom was her quick walking pace, boy could that woman move, toes out and all! She was such a sweetheart and will be missed by so many, especially her sweet family.
Love you all, Gwen and family 

May 04, 2021

Betsy, Fred, and Scott:
 
I am so saddened at the loss of your mother and my beloved Cousin Susie.  The thing that I will always remember the most about her is that she was always smiling, many times laughing, and always possessing such an upbeat personality!  That was even evident during the past months since she suffered the first stroke.  When I spoke with her over the phone, it was just like I was speaking to the same Susie I had always known and loved–still laughing, I’m certain smiling (although I couldn’t see her), and very upbeat about life in general!  It amazed me how well she had adapted to the paraplegia that had afflicted her as a result of the stroke.  I was just so impressed by the courage and strength of character that she displayed during those final months, living with a condition that would have devastated a person without her kind of strength and character.  You should all be very proud of your mother.  I am proud to have had her as my cousin.  My one regret is that I couldn’t have spent more time with her and had a chance to visit her at Moravian Manor.  I had planned to do that once pandemic restrictions were lifted, but that was not meant to be.  I will miss my dear Cousin Susie deeply.
In Love and Faith,
 
Peter Atherton 

May 02, 2021

Betsy, Freddie, and Scott.  Your mom was a very kind and warm step-mom to Katie and I.  She never treated us like step-children but always as one of her own.  Her smile was as big as her heart.  I now know where Betsy got that smile!  I know you and all those who met her will be sad.  However, you will always be able to say, “we had a cool mom,” she is just on the other side watching over all of us at the same time. 

May 01, 2021

I took care of Susan at Moravian manor. She was one of my favorite rooms to go in. She talked about her family all the time and how much she loved you all.  Thank you for trusting us to care for her. So sorry for your loss. She will truly be missed.
Emily

April 28, 2021

Betsy, Fred and Scott, I am so sorry for the loss of your amazing mother.  Susie had the most beautiful smile and such an adorable laugh.  She loved you all so much.  Your mother truly was an inspiration, the epitome of light, love, strength and laughter.  May she rest in eternal peace.
ChristyLee Kuchak

April 28, 2021

I will always enjoy fond memories of you, especially when we were all kids during the summers in Connecticut.
May you Rest In Peace.
Jonathan Oehrlein
 

April 27, 2021

Betsy, Freddy & Scott- We are so sorry on the loss of your wonderful mom. She was such a generous and loving mom and grandmother to her family (and their many friends!) through the years.  You all made her so proud!! Big hugs to all of you. 
Suzanne, Chris, Owen & Amelia Woodard

April 27, 2021

We have so many fond memories of spending time with all of you and your mom at the beach. Susie was always so much fun and showed us such kindness. We are thinking of you. Love Tom Bernie, and Emily

April 27, 2021

So sorry to read about Susan. We had some great times at Higgins Beach.  My thoughts are with the whole family and think of you often.
Heather Shuttleworth
 

Services
Saturday, May 15, 2021
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info