Helen "Susie" (Leidy) Warner

Helen “Susie” Leidy Warner died peacefully at her home in Frizzellburg, on March 23, 2022.   Born to the late Paul and Helen (Shaffer) Leidy on October 31, 1924, on Colonial Avenue in Westminster, MD, she was the youngest of six children.  In addition to her parents and siblings: Mary L. Hawkins, Paul H. Leidy, Ruth L. Bullock, Robert L. Leidy, and Russell E. Leidy, she was pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Robert E. Warner, and her great-granddaughter, Emma Catherine Baker.

Susie was baptized and raised in St. Paul's Reformed Church in Westminster, now the United Church of Christ, where she remained an active member until her death, volunteering in the office and for various fellowship functions.  She served as a deacon and an elder at various periods of her life.

A graduate of Westminster High School, class of 1941, she served on her class reunion committee for decades.  She was an avid knitter and needle worker, and made embroidered tablecloths for all of her daughters and grandchildren.   Susie belonged to Measure of Grace Prayer Shawl Ministry, where she also participated in making afghans that were distributed to the homeless.  She continued doing this until shortly before her sudden and unexpected passing.

At age 95, she embraced technology, learning to communicate with her family every day on an iPad, as well as joining her Zoom church services on Sundays.  She wrote personal emails to many family members on a daily basis.  Her service at Carroll Hospital Center included volunteering with the Carroll Hospital Auxiliary on a regular basis, prior to Covid restrictions.  In addition, she was instrumental in starting the Tree of Lights program with that organization.

Susie was a very active senior citizen, taking water exercise classes and participating in many Red Hat Society activities.  Holidays were her high points in the year as she regularly entertained gatherings of 50 or more family members for birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions.  She claimed to have missed only one Westminster Memorial Day parade during her lifetime.

She is survived by her five daughters: SuHelen Myers (Geary) of Westminster, Rebecca Buffington (Dale) of Fairfield, PA, Frances Coale (William) of New Windsor, Roberta McGaughran (Gerald) of Chesapeake Beach, and Martha Holland (Paul) of Polk City, FL; eleven grandchildren: Alana Krispin of Reisterstown, Robert Buffington of Thurmont, Dennis Coale of Manchester, Patrick Myers of Ligonier, PA, Catherine Baker of Taneytown, Paul Coale of Tacoma, WA, Lindsey Heinemann of Silver Spring, Molly McGaughran of New York, Julie Todzia of Chesapeake Beach, Rachel Holland of Westminster, and Elizabeth Green of Polk City, FL; 26 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

A time of visitation will be open to the public from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 17 Bond St., Westminster, MD, followed by a private family service.     Graveside services at Pleasant Valley Cemetery will also be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Carroll Hospital Auxiliary and Volunteer Services, 200 Memorial Ave., Westminster, MD 21157 or to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home in Westminster.