"SUZI"
Virginia Suanne Stewart Schuhmann, born December 6, 1937, passed away peacefully at home in Hosperus care on September 26, 2017, of hospital acquired pneumonia.
She preferred to be called Suzi always noting that “it’s a four letter word.“ Although her education was as a theater arts major at Butler University, only some of her career involved using her talents in that respect. She had 30 years of teaching, 27 of which were at Nelson County High School where she taught English and headed the drama department and, during summers, staged a children’s theater workshop in Bardstown and later in Louisville.
She was a docent for the Speed Museum and was noted by the leadership for her methods of presenting the art to groups ranging from children to prisoners from Pewee Valley as being “legendary.” As a member of first Unitarian church she was known for helping stage Sunday services as a member of the worship committee and for staging entertainment at the annual Otter Creek camp outs.
Suzi performed in roles as a Chautauqua character for the Kentucky Humanities Council. These included Sallie Ward, a Louisville socialite in the mid 1900’s, and Catherine Conner, a Kentuckian who served as a part of Franklin Roosevelt’s White House circle. Her picture depicts her in costume as Sallie Ward.
Despite her strenuous objections against any type of memorial service, one will be held—for the benefit of those who knew and loved her—on Wednesday, December 6 (her 80th birthday) at the First Unitarian Church, 809 S. Fourth St. at noon with a reception to follow. All are welcome to bring their best “Suzi Story” to share.
Her life was a delightful hoot!
She is survived by her husband George Schuhmann, her former husband, Scott Cederholm, two children Babette Cederholm Miller and Nicole Cederholm, four grandchildren Stewart Miller, Natalie Miller Spillman, Jack Miller and Taj Cederholm.
Her husband at the time of her death, George Schuhmann, wonders if heaven could be more delightful than the years when he was with Suzi—a possibility only if he can be with her there.