Sue Schmitt-Kirwan

Suzanne Elizabeth Schmitt-Kirwan, age 86, passed June 4, 2026 with her family close. She was born March 22, 1940, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and was the only child of David Paul Brown (1915 – 1974) and Doris Hatz Brown (1917 -1966).

Sue and her parents moved to Indialantic in 1956 where she attended and graduated from Melbourne High School. Upon graduation she attended and graduated from the Orange Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Program as a Registered Nurse. Sue went on to work at Kennedy Space Center during the Mercury Program. It was during this period she met many of the Astronauts who would later be selected for the Apollo missions. While raising (4) children, she became interested in serving the community in a more meaningful way. This would lead to a successful bid to become the first woman to serve the Rockledge City Council.

Continuing service to her community, she would go on to serve as a County Commissioner, Brevard County, District 4 for three terms. Service was important to Suzanne, and she instilled this into her children. Her three sons David (served in the United States Army, and Paramedic-retired), Michael (retired from the United States Marine Corps), Chris (retired from the United States Navy) and Susan continues to work as a Paramedic Educator.

Sue was fortunate to find the love of her life Donald Kirwan. They enjoyed playing golf together, traveling and sailing the seas on several different cruises.

Sue is preceded by her husband Donald Kirwan and grandson Michael Schmitt Jr. Sue was blessed to have (4) children, (5) grandchildren and (5) great grandchildren.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026 from 2:30pm to 3:30pm at the Life Event Center at Florida Memorial, 5950 South US Highway 1, Rockledge, FL. A funeral service will follow at 3:30pm with a Committal Service at 4:00pm at Florida Memorial Park and Cremation Gardens.

If you would like in lieu of flowers, please donate to Brevard County Zoo.