Susan Nixon Darling aka "Aunt Susie"
Sue Nixon Darling was born and raised in Massillon, OH and graduated from Perry High School in 1969.
Susan was the long time owner of Aunt Susie's Gifts and Necessities in Springboro and Centerville, and was also an accomplished floral designer. Susan was an animal lover, especially her own cats and dogs, and she loved to cook, opening her home every New Year's Day for her famous sauerkraut and pork.
She married the love of her life Greg Darling in 1978 and was married for 33 years before her death in 2011. They made their homes in Wooster, Youngstown and Cleveland before moving to Centerville in 1989. She was a trained floral designer and in 1994 received her Associate Degree in Business for Sinclair College.
After spending most of her working career in retail, she fulfilled a lifetime dream of opening a storefront when she opened “Aunt Susie’s Gifts and Necessities" in a historical building in Springboro, Ohio in 1997. She was loved by her customers, her staff and her community, many of whom would come to “Susie” for a friendly chat in her office, a former kitchen, getting refreshments out of her fridge vegetable drawer and get some of her wisdom. She was innovative and highly respected – for example she was the first in her community to offer gourmet foods. In 2000, she received the “Springboro Small Business of the Year” award from the Chamber of Commerce. Interestingly, the award was presented to her by Rob Portman, then a local congressman, now a Senator for the state of Ohio.
In 2010 she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, which finally took her life, with her husband by her side, on August 22, 2011. During her illness, despite the suffering, Sue rarely let it get her down. She once said "Greg, I am not living this illness. I will follow my doctor’s instructions and live my life”. She was truly inspiring; always coming to the aid of family and friends who needed her. People were drawn to Sue by her love, sincerity, and wisdom. She had an empathetic ear for anyone who sought her out.
Her legacy will live forever and the world is a better place for her time on earth. She will always be missed. She would not want us to labor long in grief. She would say “Move on your with life!”