Sue Carol Sandlin-Plaehn

Born in Durham, North Carolina, to Charles Pigford Sandlin and Lois Columbia Cashwell Sandlin, Sue grew up in Raleigh with her two younger sisters, Eve and Gay. She attended Needham B. Broughton High School and St. Mary's College before earning a degree in Opera Performance from the University of Hartford.

Sue's love of music and adventurous spirit took her from New York City, where she pursued opera, to Europe, where she traveled extensively and worked for the United States government in Germany. During her travels, she met Donald John Plaehn, whom she married in Gstaad, Switzerland, on Valentine's Day in 1966. They later settled in Chicago, where they began raising their two daughters, Sandlin and Elizabeth.

In 1977, Sue returned to Raleigh and began an extraordinary career as a financial advisor with Mutual of Omaha. Over nearly five decades, she became one of the company's most accomplished advisors, earning numerous distinctions and developing lasting relationships with clients. She remained dedicated to her work throughout her life and was especially proud that her granddaughter, Caroline, planned to continue her business.

Intelligent, independent, outspoken, and endlessly curious, Sue embraced life with enthusiasm and a remarkable sense of adventure. She loved traveling, discovering new cultures, and connecting with people from all walks of life. She had a genuine interest in others and a special ability to turn even a chance encounter with a stranger into a memorable conversation. A lifelong learner, she was fascinated by science, history, politics, and the world around her. Her many passions included opera, classical music, art, gardening, and cooking. She was also a devoted advocate for women's rights who believed strongly in independence and equality.

Sue also had a lifelong fascination with genealogy and a deep commitment to preserving her family's history. Together with her daughter, Sandlin, she spent countless hours researching their ancestry, collecting family photographs and documents, and preserving the personal stories of earlier generations. Their shared dedication to family history also led them to become members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), further deepening their connection to their ancestral heritage.

Above all, Sue was an exceptionally loving, generous, and devoted mother and grandmother. She gave freely of her time, offered unwavering encouragement, and could always be counted on for unconditional love and support. She treasured every opportunity to spend time with her grandchildren, whether exploring museums, enjoying sleepovers and cooking projects, or cheering them on at their sporting events. She delighted in sharing her interests and experiences with them, creating special memories and traditions, including choosing flowers together and planting them in her beloved garden, where each flower would be named for the grandchild who selected it. As they grew older, she especially loved having them stop by her house for tea and a tour of her garden. She had a genuine interest in their lives and always welcomed opportunities to share in their activities and adventures.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Eve Sandlin Ide; and her former husband, Donald John Plaehn.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandlin Anne Hunter (Banks) and Elizabeth Gaylor Bowman (Guy); her grandchildren, Hayes Sandlin Bowman, Harrison Quinn Bowman, Avery Anna Charles Bowman, and Caroline Cashwell Gaylor Bowman; her sister, Gaylor “Gay” Sandlin Eatman (Woody); her nieces, Caroline Casey Eatman Lovas (Robert) and Elizabeth “Betty” Brant Eatman Nelson (Russell); her great-nieces, Eloise Eve “Evie” Langer Lovas and Caroline Claudia “CeCe” Smithson Nelson; her sister-in-law, Genevive “Jenny” Plaehn; and her nephews, Scott Allan Plaehn (Therese) and Mark Allan Plaehn (Kristen).

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 6th at 1:00 pm at Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton St, Raleigh, NC, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603; (919) 772-2326; www.spcawake.org.

Services provided by Brown Wynne, 300 Saint Mary’s St., Raleigh, NC.