On February 10, 2025, Suzanne Zerr Greiner died peacefully while surrounded by family.
She experienced many exciting historical events and scientific developments in her 99 years and almost eight months.
Suzanne was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Lorena and William Zerr and joined her older sister Bobby. The family soon moved to Towson, Maryland, where the girls grew up and later welcomed their younger brother Bill. Suzanne was graduated from Towson High School and matriculated at the University of Alabama with a degree in psychology. While at Bama, Suzanne was a cheerleader for the Crimson Tide and was featured in the yearbook as a beauty on campus. Sue met a handsome, guitar-playing engineering student named Ernest Edward Greiner whom she married in March 1943. After Ed was graduated in January 1944, the Greiners moved to North Jersey near his family and then to Philadelphia.
Later Ed and Sue settled in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey where they raised their three daughters. During these years, Suzanne involved herself in the Women’s Club and the Pompton Players, assisted at Colfax Nursery School, and worked in Gelman’s Department Store to earn tuition for night courses at Paterson State (now William Paterson University) to become a teacher. At WPU, Sue proved to be an excellent student, played on the women’s golf team, earned her BA in elementary education in 1967 and her MA in reading in 1973.
Mrs. G taught second grade and then first grade in Wayne, New Jersey, in Albert Payson Terhune School and Kennedy School from 1967 until 1986, when she and Ed retired to Carolina Shores, North Carolina.
Grandma Suzie felt immense pleasure about the births of her two grandsons in 1980 and 1984, their many achievements, their marriages, and the addition of each of their own children.
Her energy was renewed by any extended family reunions, especially at Sunset Beach.
In sunny Carolina, Suzanne enjoyed meeting many wonderful friends, playing bridge, and quilting with the guild. She especially loved golfing and competing with the Carolina Shores Renegades and the Niners, won several awards, and played until she was 93. For several years, Sue took care of her husband whose health was declining and who died in 2002. She very much appreciated the love and support of her neighbors and friends in Carolina Shores.
Suzanne’s life brightened when she met George Bridges who whisked her off to church on the beach, dances, football games, golfing and fishing trips, Europe, and to Plains, Georgia to meet Jimmy Carter.
Most recently during her stay in New Haven in Little River, Suzanne came to treasure the respect and kindness she received from George, the hardworking aides, Agape staff, and her faithful visitors.
Suzanne Greiner was a constantly curious learner, a voracious reader, a generous colleague, a loving partner, and a joyful mother who prized spending time with her children and friends over maintaining a spotless home. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Suzanne Zerr Greiner was predeceased by her husband Ernest Edward Greiner, her sister Roberta Ratrie, her brother William Zerr, and her eldest daughter Christine Greiner Bozarth.
She is survived by her second love George Bridges, her daughters Ann (John Soojian) Greiner of Sunset Beach, North Carolina, and Wendy (Frank) Martell of Weiser, Idaho, her grandsons Lucas (Odesa) Martell and Nicolas (Monica) Martell, and great grandchildren Zander, Isla, and Dade Martell.
A Celebration of Life may be held in the future. In lieu of donations, Suzanne would wish that you might read someone a story
