Suzanne “Susie” Gorton, 77, of Gifford, entered the place that God has prepared for those that love him, on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.
Born January 26, 1944, in Bradford, she was a daughter of the late Kenneth and Esther "Wiggy" (Gainer) McKinney.
Susie was a graduate of Bradford High School. In her younger years she was active in a bus ministry that went into major inner cities to distribute blankets and share god's love and plan of salvation.
On January 21,1961 in United Methodist Church in Olean NY, she married Robert E. Gorton Jr. who survives.
Susie was a founding member and co-pastor of the Peoples Christian Fellowship Church and supported Christian works in India which cared for widows and orphans. She packed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, providing gifts to children overseas. She was always praying for and encouraging family, friends and church members. She had a compassionate heart and a desire to help people, especially the down and out ones. She never wavered in her faith, despite many physical hardships, but remained a godly example. Despite being in physical pain for more than 10 years, Susie remained joyful and fulfilled her calling. She held bible studies for inmates at FCI McKean for 10 years and then later at the McKean County Jail in Smethport.
Her life was well lived, filled with generosity, laughter, faith, joy, love and kindness.
Several years back, she learned how to use a computer and discovered Facebook, where she reconnected with family and friends and was daily praying for and encouraging all of her Facebook friends. She was a great conversationalist and made friends easily, sometimes in the most unlikely places including the ladies restroom at the airport.
Susie enjoyed flower gardening, hummingbirds, and her sheltie dogs. When her health was better, she loved vacationing in St. Augustine FL, especially sun tanning on the beach.
In addition to her husband Bob, of 60 years, Susie is survived by a daughter, Cindy Kay Peters of Bradford, a son Steve (Bobbie) Gorton of Jacksonville FL, one grandson Sean Gorton of Jacksonville FL, four step grandchildren Joel (Destiny) Khouri of Charlotte NC, Jonathan Simmons of Jacksonville FL, Jacqulyn (Ben) Zhanq of Atlanta GA, and Kristen Green of Riverview FL, two sisters Sandra Rivenbark of NC, and Molly (Cog) Heron of Bradford, two sister-in-laws, Marcia Burrell, of Bradford, and Terry (Duke) Smith, of Bradford, one brother-in-law Jack (Bev) Gorton of Aiken, and many nieces and nephews. and her beloved Sheltie dogs Maddie and Mikey.
Susie was preceded in death by her grandmother Gladys Gainer, a sister Merrianne Rupert, a brother William McKinney, a sister-in-law Brenda Dunn, and her spiritual parents Rev Dale (Dottie) DuPont.
Private service for family only will be held in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes, with Rev. Max Simms, Pastor officiating. Committal services and burial will be in McKean Memorial Park, with Rev. Max Simms, Pastor of the Hilltop Baptist Church officiating.
Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life that will be held at 11:00 AM, on Saturday June 4, 2022, at the People's Christian Fellowship.
Memorial contributions if desired may be made to People's Christian Fellowship 10 Harding Ave. Bradford, PA 16701, or Message Ministries and Missions Inc. (Brian Weller) P.O. Box 7158 St. Petersburg, FL 33734 or a charity of the donor's choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com