Susan Louise

Norris

Susan "Sue" Louise Norris, 73, of Cumberland, MD passed away with her daughters by her side after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia on November 9, 2026 at Allegany Health Nursing and Rehab.

Sue was born July 6, 1953 in Cumberland to the late Homer and Hilda (Wentling) Robey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 26 years and father of her daughters, William Arthur Norris Jr.; a sister, Carol A. Knox; sister-in-law, Linda Kirtley (Gary); and recently her second husband of 16 years, John Paul McKenzie, who passed away in 2022.

She grew up on her family farm horseback riding and training under the watchful eyes of her father and grandfather (Norvil Wentling). Sue was a very active member of the Allegany Saddle Club from a young age, where she performed and showed her horses regionally. Sue's love of horses continued throughout her life, giving lessons, and training horses to drive. She would occasionally drive her horse and buggy to pick her daughters up from the school bus!

The family farm was central in her life which she and her husband worked to establish as a National Bicentennial Farm. She and her family truly did live self-sufficiently from their land. Sue's hobbies related to her farm life including gardening, canning, baking, candlemaking, soapmaking and floorcloth making. She enjoyed cooking on her vintage woodstove, baking cakes and making homemade meals, even during power outages. But her true claim to fame was her family's favorite- homemade chocolate-peanut butter fudge!

Sue spent her life caring for others. As a child, she began cleaning and cooking for her grandmother (Anna Robey) who lived "down the road." Her elderly aunt (Bernadette Hinkle) needed her care for a time. Abandoned pets would often find their way to her and she spent many sleepless nights feeding kittens, etc. When her first husband was diagnosed with cancer, she cared for him for the duration of his illness. She looked after her father in his elder years as well as her oldest sister Carol as her health faded. More recently when her second husband became ill, she tended to his needs until his passing.

Sue graduated from Fort Hill High School in 1971 and married soon after. She and her husband raised their two daughters while living the farm life. Later, Sue worked as a vet tech, and retired after a 15-year career in food service at Allegany College. Post-retirement, she began volunteering with the Baltimore Pike Vol. Fire Dept. Auxiliary and spent time with her grandchildren. She was a member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church.

Surviving her are two daughters, Amy Louise Steckman and husband Wayne and Alicia Susanne Norris and husband Michael Burditt; a sister, Linda Carpenter and husband Gary; grandchildren, Andrea Blackburn (Jason), Kayla Emerick (Jesse), Noah Steckman (Kyara Bible), Marley Steckman (Nathaniel "Woogie" Klemm), Wayland Norris, and Miles Burditt; great-grandchildren, Rowynn and Cage Blackburn, Vivian and Ellisyn Emerick; best friend through it all, Sue Brubaker; her large extended family including many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and her remaining horse Annie, many rescued kitties, and her dog Gracie.

A visitation will take place Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 12:00 to 2:00pm at Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A. 108 Virginia Ave, Cumberland. A funeral service will begin at 2:00pm with Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Zalatoris officiating.

Pallbearers will be Wayne Steckman, Michael Burditt, Gary Norris, Jr., Noah Steckman, Nathaniel Klemm, and Wayland Norris.

Interment will be in Mount Pleasant United Methodist Cemetery, Cumberland, MD.

The family would like to extend a warm thanks to her roommate Janet and husband Bill, as well as the nursing and aid staff of Allegany Health Nursing and Rehab for their care and support.

Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A. is entrusted with arrangements.