Susan E. Wink Ziegler

Forever in Our Hearts

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, and sister, Susan E. Wink Ziegler, age 82, on December 3, 2025, in St. Johns, Florida.

Susan was born on August 21, 1943, in Evanston, Illinois, to Nicholas and Mary (née White) Wink. She was the second of four children and graduated from Regina Dominican High School in 1961.

Susan married John J. Ziegler in May 1970, and together they raised three daughters: Teresa Lynn, Linda Marie, and Ann Marie.

Susan began her career with Eastern Airlines in Chicago, Illinois, as a ticketing agent, where she enjoyed the opportunity to travel to many countries. After her marriage, she devoted herself to raising her children until they reached school age. She later volunteered at St. Bernadette Catholic School in Davie, Florida, where she ran the Sunday Donut Stand and assisted with the annual parish festival.

Recognized for her strong work ethic and compassion for children, Susan joined St. Bernadette School and Parish, first as an assistant kindergarten teacher and later serving in the school office.  After furthering her education, she became a bookkeeper for a CPA firm in Delray Beach, Florida. She later relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, where she spent decades working for TCI until her retirement.

Susan will be remembered as kind, generous, and devoted to her family. She enjoyed baseball and football, supporting Notre Dame, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Cubs. Her interests included gardening, puzzles, board games, and card games ranging from Rummy to Canasta. Hand, Knee, and Foot Canasta was a particular favorite, and she enjoyed teaching the game to others. She was fondly known for her peanut butter–filled apples.

Susan is survived by her daughters, Teresa Gillis (James), Linda Doran (Patrick), and Ann Marie Bridgewater (Mark); nine grandchildren, George Doran, Randall Gillis (Rebecca), Cory Gillis, Dalton Doran, Rebecca Gillis, Dylan Doran, Ryan Anderson, Brooke-Myquella Doran, and Reagan Anderson; and two great-grandchildren, Luella and Sophie Gillis. She is also survived by her sisters, Penelope and Beverly; her brother, Nicholas; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Susan was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.

Susan will be buried at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Wilmette, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at (click here).

Crevasse’s Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Ziegler family.