Sue Gene Petersen (Caravalla) died peacefully at home in Winter Park, Florida on October 17, 2023,th at the age of 82.
Sue is survived by her husband of 56 years, Bradley H. Petersen Jr., her daughter Christiane Connor, her granddaughter Adair Connor, and her grandson Declan Connor.
Sue Petersen was born on November 11, 1940, in Tampa, FL to Charles Gustavius (Gus) Caravalla and Mildren (Maddie) Hudson Caravalla. She graduated from Plant High School in Tampa in 1958, earned a bachelor's degree in education from Longwood College in Farmville, VA, in 1962, and a master's degree in education with a reading specialty from Alabama A & M in Huntsville, AL, in 1980.
She met Bradley H. Petersen Jr. in Schweinfurt, Germany in 1966, while employed as a Department of Defense School (DODS) teacher. Bradley was then a First Lieutenant in the US Army stationed in Schweinfurt. They were married in a friend's home in Tampa, FL on December 22, 1966.
Sue worked as an elementary school teacher and reading specialist in various schools throughout the country and the world for 28 years. She successfully juggled being an officer's wife, a schoolteacher, and a mother. Sue and Bradley moved 23 times during his 28-year military career. They then moved another 4 times while Bradley worked as a defense contractor before finally retiring to Winter Park, Florida where Bradley grew up. Thus, the reason Sue often remarked that "move" was a dirty word.
Sue was a fireball! She was fun and witty, strong, and bold. As Bradley had been called away frequently with work, she had developed a strong sense of independence. She loved her family and lived life to the fullest. She travelled the world, loved the beach, music and playing the piano. She was a fierce animal advocate and an active member of the German American Society of Central Florida, the Junior League and her sorority, Kappa Delta. Though she suffered with Alzheimer's for many years, she never lost her sense of humor nor forgot her loved ones. We know she is now free from pain and at peace.
A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, 4 November at DeGusipe Funeral Home in Maitland, Florida. There will be a visitation beginning at 10 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m. and a reception to follow. Pastor Tom Hensley will officiate the ceremony. The burial will be at 2 p.m. at Palm Cemetery in Winter Park. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Sue Petersen's life. Flowers and condolences may be sent to DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 S Us Highway 17/92, Maitland, FL 32751.