Susan Claire Clifford

Susan was born on May 26, 1934, in Blair, Nebraska, to William Thomas Wilkinson and Claire Nelson Wilkinson. The oldest of three children, she grew up in Nebraska and graduated from Blair High School in 1951. She earned a Bachelor of Arts at Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1955 and later earned a Master of Education degree at the University of Nebraska, in 1978. During her college years, she was a member of Phi Gamma Nu and Kappa Delta Pi.

On December 22, 1956, Susan married Gary Robert Clifford. Together they enjoyed fifty-three years of marriage and a shared interest in antiques, history, and genealogy. They lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, Schooley’s Mountain, New Jersey and Lititz, Pennsylvania before returning to Lincoln in 2009. After living for eight years at the Grand Lodge in Lincoln, Susan relocated to Austin, Texas in 2025 to be near her daughter and family.

A dedicated educator, Susan devoted more than four decades to teaching and inspiring young people. Her career in education began with Washington County, Nebraska Schools in a one room schoolhouse in 1951. She went on to teach with Lincoln Public Schools from 1960 to 1985, and Roxbury Township, New Jersey, from 1986 to 1995. She retired in June 1995 after a distinguished career in education.

Susan was actively involved in her community and church. She was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity Alumni, PEO, DAR, First Plymouth Church, the Women's Wesleyan Educational Council, and the Lancaster County Republicans. She also served as a Docent with the Lititz Historical Foundation and enjoyed taking OLLI classes through the University of Nebraska. Her love of learning, service, and fellowship enriched the lives of those around her.

Susan will be remembered for her kindness and sense of humor, lifelong love of learning and unwavering dedication to education, and her commitment to family and community. Her legacy lives on in the many students she taught, the organizations she served, and the loved ones who will cherish her memory.

Susan is survived by her daughter, Karen S. (Clifford) Freche, and son-in-law, Steven M. Freche; her grandchildren, Amanda Freche and Lauren Freche; her sister-in-law, Beth Wilkinson and beloved cousins. She will be laid to rest at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Memorial contributions are welcome to the Food Bank of Lincoln in memory of Susan Clifford to support the Backpack Program which helps students and their families maintain access to nourishing foods when school meals are unavailable.