Susan F. Schaeffer

Susan F. Schaeffer, 73, of St. Petersburg passed away April 12, 2016. She was born on June 29, 1942 in Kittanning, PA, her family later relocated to Florida. Susan graduated from Northeast High School in 1960, St. Petersburg Junior College 1962, Florida State University 1964, and Stetson University College of Law in 1971, where she earned a Juris Doctorate graduating first in class. She received the Florida Bar Award as Outstanding Graduate, Stetson University College of Law. Susan was a member of the State Moot Court, and her team won best overall competition where she outstanding where she was named an outstanding participant. Susan received the highest circuit court judge rating in 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1998 poll of judges conducted by the Clearwater Bar Association. She was third rated judge in 1994, and second rated in 1996, and 2000. She was honored with the Judicial Appreciation Award presented by the St. Petersburg Bar Association in 1989.In 1992 she was selected by Tampa Bay Life Magazine as one of Tampa Bay's 50 most influential women. Susan received the Stetson's Lawyer's Association Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996. In 2000, she was awarded the first William J. Castagna Award for Judicial Excellence, for displaying the highest standards of judicial excellence and knowledge of the law, ethics, civility, professionalism, demeanor, and commitment to the community. Susan received the following awards; Ben C. Willard Memorial Award for "Humanitarian Achievements"; The Selig I. Golden award for her significant contribution to the Criminal Justice System of the State of Florida in 2004; and received the Court of Florida Proclamation declaring her Chair Emeritus of the Trial Court Budget Commission in 2004. Susan was a member for the following Organizations: St. Petersburg Bar Association, Clearwater Bar Association, American Bar Association, The Florida Bar, Criminal Defense Lawyers of Pinellas County, Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Association of Trial Lawyers of American, Florida Conferences of Circuit Court Judges, Florida Women's Alliance, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, National Association of Women Judges, Barney Masterson Inns of Court, Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers, The Charles A. Dana Law Center Foundation, Renaissance Vinoy Resort Golf and Country Club, Pinellas County Data Processing Board, Substance Abuse Board, Criminal Justice Planning Council, Affirmative Action Committee, Tampa/ St. Petersburg Criminal Justice Reform Council, Conflict Committee, Criminal Justice Information System Advisory Board, St. Petersburg Junior College Criminal Justice Advisory Board, Stetson Dean Search Committee, and Governor's Capital Cases Task Force. Susan was a faculty member of National Judicial College, Reno 1989-2000, Florida Advanced Judicial College, 1990-2001 and Florida Judicial College 1993-1999. In her free time Susan enjoyed golf, bridge, music, civic speaking engagements, and making stained glass pieces. Susan is survived by her loving wife, Sue L. Rudd of St. Petersburg; step-son Andrew (Francisco) Rudd of Ft. Lauderdale; step-sister, Ruth (Norman) White of St. Petersburg; cousin David (Eddie) Mohney & family of North Carolina; cousin, Joyce Whittaker & family of North Carolina; and cousin Cheryl (Bill) Horton of Ohio. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Susan's honor to the, Susan F. Schaeffer Scholarship Fund at Stetson University College of Law, 1401 61st Street South Gulfport, Florida, 33707. A gathering of friends will be at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home 2201 Dr. MLK Street N. St. Petersburg on Friday April 15th from 5:30-7pm, followed by a Celebration of Life beginning at 7pm.