Winter Park, Florida – Suzanne Shelfer DeLongy, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on November 7, 2024, in Winter Park, Florida, at the age of 75. Born on June 18, 1949, in Bainbridge, Georgia, Suzanne’s life was marked by her unwavering love for her family, her dedication to her work, and her enduring Southern grace.
Suzanne is survived by her husband of 47 years, Craig DeLongy; her daughter, Blair DeLongy Sanchez, of Naples, Florida, and her husband, Alvaro, along with their children, Carter and Emma; her son, Brant DeLongy, of Winter Park, and his fiancée, Karoline Tamoney; and her brother, Randy Shelfer, of Havana, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, Perry and Edith Shelfer.
A proud graduate of the University of Florida, Suzanne earned her degree in pharmacology in 1974, beginning a career as a dedicated pharmacist. Along with her husband Craig, she co-founded John Craig Clothier in 1996 on Park Avenue in Winter Park, which grew to include eight stores, including Current by John Craig and Carter and Finley by John Craig.
Suzanne was a member of First United Methodist Church in Winter Park and The Country Club of Orlando. As a true Gator through and through, she cherished her time at the University of Florida and remained a passionate supporter of her alma mater throughout her life. Having lived with Parkinson’s Disease for 30 years, she and Craig were major sponsors of the Parkinson Association of Central Florida.
Suzanne had a deep love for cooking, entertaining, traveling, the beach, and watching her son and husband play golf. She found joy in sharing these passions with her family and friends, creating many cherished memories along the way. She was known for her chocolate chip pound cake, cobblers, cookies, and cakes and her ability to make everyone around her feel valued and special.
But above all, Suzanne will be remembered as the epitome of Southern charm, a devoted wife, an amazing mother and grandmother, and the sweetest of friends. Her kindness, warmth, and laughter filled every room she entered. She lived her life with grace and a deep commitment to the people she loved, leaving behind a legacy of love and joy.