SCHARDT, Clara “Susan”, 80, of Longwood, Florida, passed away September 11, 2025 due to respiratory failure.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 6, 1945 to the late Edward Sweeney and Cora Lee Hayes, she was the youngest of three girls. Her family moved to Central Florida in 1952, where Susan grew up on 29th Street.

Susan graduated from Boone High School in 1963, and returned to Kentucky to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Murray State University. While water skiing one day at Lake Barkley, she sighted a good looking guy, and asked who he was, how could she meet him. She was told to ask him anything about cars. Susan advised Michael Schardt she had to write a paper about carburetors, and would he help her with the details? The two married on June 22, 1968.

Susan and Michael began their married life in Dayton, Ohio, where Susan began as an elementary and middle school classroom teacher. In addition to teaching, Susan also ran a professional entertainment company, “Sparky Presentations,” where she trained and became a professional clown, “Pepper”, entertaining the local community at events and parties. Additionally, she and Michael participated in Sports Car Club of America rallies in southwestern Ohio.

Susan and Michael welcomed two children-Matthew Mitchell in 1975 and Hayes Elizabeth in 1977. Susan left teaching to stay home with her children in their formative years, while still working as “Pepper the clown” for various events. Her years as an Ohio classroom teacher were marked with much success, with former students staying in touch with Susan for decades after leaving her classroom.

Susan continued her higher education, earning a Master’s in Pupil Personnel/Counseling from Wright State University. Susan became a guidance counselor and staffing specialist, helping students in their academic careers, earning accreditation from the National Board for Certified Counselors, while also running a private counseling practice for couples, teens and children.

While Susan was tireless in her pursuit in the academic arena, she was equally effective in the community. Moving back to Central Florida in 1982, Susan was one of three parents-and the only woman-to establish the West Seminole Pony Baseball league in 1985, enabling Central Florida youths to develop teamwork skills, athletic abilities, and foster a community gathering. Susan encouraged people to join in community efforts with her classic quote: “If you don’t like what you see-volunteer.”

Susan was predeceased by her husband, Michael Schardt in 2001. She reconnected with childhood friend, Linton “Sonny” Hartley at her 2004 high school reunion, and for 21 years traveled and created experiences with him, from sky-diving on their first date, snow-skiing in Idaho to helicoptering into the Grand Canyon and burning up the dance floor at the local Orlando Elks Lodge. Susan and Sonny were part of the Boone High School “Circle of ’63”, a group of 1963 alumni committed to sponsoring scholarship through Boone High School.

Susan is survived by her son, M. Mitchell Schardt of Apopka, FL; her daughter Hayes Elizabeth Schardt of Anderson, South Carolina; her long-term partner Sonny Hartley of Davenport, FL; her sister Mary Nell “Peggy” Hall of Apopka, FL.; multiple loving nieces and nephews and their children; and lifelong friends from grade school to retirement age that mourn her passing. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Michael Matthew Schardt; her sister Martha Ann “Pattie” Starcher; father Edward Lee Sweeney; mother Cora Lee Hayes Sweeney Rawls; stepfather Robert Mitchell Rawls.

Per Susan’s specific order, no service or memorial gathering is to be held. In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider donating to the local Spay n’ Save or animal rescue shelter in honor of Clara Susan Sweeney Schardt, a lifelong lover and and saver of animals.