Susanne Graff Henderson

Born on March 13, 1937, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Susanne was the daughter of Raymond and Bessie Graff and grew up in Blairsville, PA, alongside her older sister, Gretchen. A proud graduate of Blairsville High School (Class of 1955), she continued her education at Allegheny College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959. Years later, she earned her master’s degree from Troy State University, graduating in 1978.

In 1962, Susanne married Donn M. Ruddock, with whom she raised two children, Bruce and Laura. As the spouse of a military officer, she managed a mobile household, guiding her family through frequent moves to Alabama, New Jersey, North Dakota, Guam, and Greece. Later, she brought that same adaptability and dedication to her professional life, managing SATO travel offices at Fort Eustis, Virginia, and in Florida. Her career allowed her to combine precision with a love for people, qualities that carried over into every part of her life.

In the early 1990s, Susanne met Charles “Opa” Henderson, and together they embraced a life of companionship, joy, and travel, often adventuring around the world with their dear group of friends known affectionately as “The Usual Suspects.” Susanne also welcomed a new extended family through this marriage, and the love and connection she found with Charles’s children and grandchildren brought her tremendous joy.

Susanne found deep joy in her growing family. She became a grandmother in 1995 to Thadd, in 1997 to Haley, and in 2004 to Evan. She was later blessed with a great-grandson and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Bruce Ruddock (Ellen); daughter, Laura Sowinski (Teddy); stepchildren, Martha Larkin (William), Peggy Hunsucker (Garry), and Terry Cole (Skip); grandchildren, Evan Ruddock, Thaddeus Sowinski (Courtney), and Haley Coronado (Carlos); and great-grandson, Archer Sowinski. She is also lovingly remembered by step-grandchildren, Christina Fontaine (Phil), Sandra Martin (Charles), Katherine Cannon (Eric), Glenn Smith II (Tiffany), and Lindsay Holmes (Drew); and step-great-grandchildren, Alex Martin, Will Martin, Ellis Cannon, Aiden Cannon, Lauren Smith, Glenn Smith III, Mason Smith, Addison Smith and Landon Holmes.

A visitation will be held at Nelsen Williamsburg, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg, VA on October 25, 2025 beginning at 2:30 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Susanne’s memory to UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/) or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (https://curealz.org/) - causes close to her heart.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com. The service will also be live-streamed at this site.