Susan Moore

Susan L. Bender Moore, 83, of Oak Hill Village, Middletown, died Thursday, April 25, 2024 in the Penn State-Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

She was a retired Teacher’s Aide for Ebenezer Elementary School, Cornwall-Lebanon School District, and a member of Covenant United Methodist Church, Lebanon.

Susan was the widow of Riley L. Moore, and the daughter of the late Albert H. Bender, Sr., and Naomi Sherk Bender. She is survived by two daughters, Anne L. Moore and Elizabeth S. Truntz and husband Todd; one son, Eric R. Moore and wife Julia Wolfe; four grandchildren, Amanda and Raymond Truntz; Theo Moore and Naomi Wolfe; brother Albert H. Bender, Jr., and brother-in-law Robert Pierce; her beloved cat, Josie; and granddogs, Ruby and Omar; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Joan E. Pierce.

Sue was devoted to her family and loved us dearly. Her husband, Riley, was the love of her life and they were married for over 57 years. She was a dedicated caretaker to him when he lived with Parkinson’s, spending countless hours by his bedside. She welcomed her kids’ and grandkids’ friends, significant others and partners unreservedly. Leeann and Dan were like her extra children over the decades.
She enjoyed amusement parks, especially with her grandkids, and spent many days at Knoebels, Dutch Wonderland and Hersheypark. In fact, she relished anything to do with her grandkids: taking walks to visit neighborhood cats, fishing at Lions Lake and Memorial Lake, enjoying nature, miniature golfing, visiting TandD’s Cats of the World to hear the lions roar, Escape Rooms, the Muppets, and she was game to try almost anything. She’d make their favorite cookies and mashed potatoes and taught them to make chicken pot pie. She often documented details of their visits and gave the stories to their parents. She cheered at t-ball, soccer, baseball, softball and basketball games, as well as band, dancing, singing and theatre events, often traveling to Boston (and once to Disney World!) to do so. Her family was her pride and joy.

Sue was also a loving daughter and sister, aunt and great- and great-great-aunt, and a loyal friend and confidante. She continued to make new friends, young and old, throughout her life. At Oak Hill Village, Marie, Grace, Betty, Charlie and Gene were especially dear to her. Her youngest generation of friends includes her pen pal, Max Knouse, and Abigail, Samuel and Stephen Baker; Tydus Pierce and Mason Day; Alana Zimmerman; Emerson Levan; and Mason Hungler. Their photos were prominently displayed in her home. Her feline companion, Josie, was pampered like a princess.

She had a seven-decades-long friendship with her dear brother-in-law, Robert Pierce, and they enjoyed putting puzzles together, going out to eat, scratching lottery tickets, reminiscing about the “good old days,” and having new adventures.

She took pleasure in the simple things like birds, cats, flowers, calliope music, and a good Reuben sandwich. She was a fan of high school musicals and Broadway shows, especially comedies, the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra’s Classical and Pops performances, Central Pennsylvania Womyn’s Chorus and all kinds of music including marches, polkas, and her favorite singer, Johnny Mathis. She was a lifelong Phillies superfan. She was an excellent gardener and flower arranger, often sharing her creations with others. She was an avid thrift shopper, finding decorations to brighten her home and common spaces in her apartment building. She also found the best green sweater ever, that always got compliments when she wore it.

She knew the importance of voting and she and Riley took their young kids with them to the fire hall each election day. She voted by mail the week before she died.

She was a regular person, and she was regular in an extraordinary way.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 2:30pm in the Chapel at Oak Hill Village, 1020 North Union Street, Middletown. A visitation will be held on Friday from 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm in the Chapel. Burial at the conclusion of services will be in Grandview Memorial Park, Annville. Arrangements by Wiedeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Oberlin.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.