Susan Fredell Parks

Fort Pierce - Susan Fredell Parks-daughter of Fred William Peters and Virginia Johnson Peters received her angel wings on May 30, 2022, at Treasure Coast Hospice in Fort Pierce, Florida. Susan was born on February 9, 1947, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the oldest of 3 children. Susan is a retired Occupational Therapist serving our community for 45 years.

Susan attended Bel-Nor Elementary School as a child. She graduated from Normandy High School in 1965. From July 1968-July 1969, Susan travelled to various states to complete her Educational Practicum for her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Occupational Therapy. After graduation, she directed and administered an OT program at the St. Louis State Hospital primarily working with youths ages 5-16. In June of 1972, Susan moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where she continued her career at the Indian River Community Mental Health Center as Director of Intensive Support Services and Occupational Therapy. In 1979, Susan became the Chief Vocational Evaluator at IRCC in the Vocational Rehabilitation Department. Also, from 1981-1985 Susan worked multiple jobs at the same time splitting her work between her full-time position and part-time at Forty Fifth Street Community Mental Health Center, Fort Pierce Care Center, and Abbiejean Russel Care Center. In 1986, Susan became the Assistant Director of the Occupational Therapy and Program Coordinator- Back to Work Program and Vocational Specialist at Health South Rehabilitation Hospital. From 1994 to her retirement in 2014, Susan worked for multiple home health agencies where she was employed as a full-time therapist.
Susan was blessed to have been able to establish and maintain many lifelong friendships. “Pee Wee” as she was referred to, loved to dance, especially to her favorite Doo-Wop bands. She specialized in “The Stroll” and would gladly demonstrate whenever she got the chance. She also had a pretty good “Twist”. Later, she enjoyed her outings with her GNO (Girls Night Out) group. She loved all these ladies and found them to be a great source of friendship, comfort and support.

Susan was an excellent crafter. She gained her love of sewing from her mother Virginia. While both were talented seamstresses, Susan preferred crocheting and needlepoint. She also enjoyed making wreaths of flowers for anyone who would ask. Susan was her best in the kitchen. She loved cooking and would spend weeks choosing and preparing holiday dinners.
Susan loved her hometown of St. Louis. She was a die-hard Cardinals fan. She looked forward to attending a spring training game with the Cardinals at our local stadium in the last few years. She would rearrange her social schedule to watch their televised games. She would be very pleased, as of this posting, that they are currently 2nd in the National League.
Mostly, Susan was a hardworking, self-sacrificing mother who worked multiple jobs for many years to provide not only for her children but for all of those that she loved. She was kind, generous and loving.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Virginia Peters; husbands Oran “Skip” Fredell and Robert Parks. She is survived by her daughter Melissa Blandford (Alan), son Jason Fredell, grandchildren Blake Baltos (Catherine), Jonathan Dewitt (Sydney) and Dylan Fredell; 3 great-grandchildren Bentley, Aspen and Julian. Susan is also survived by her brother Ed Peters; sister, Sharon Silverthorn, 3 nieces and many great-grandnieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Haisley Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, Florida on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 1:00 pm. Visitation will be from 12:30 – 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice. A private reception to follow.