Vero Beach, Florida - Schmidt, Suzanne Claughton passed away on January 20, 2024.

Suzie ("Sunshine") was born in Atlanta, GA on March 17, 1933, but grew up and lived in Miami, FL. for eighty years before moving to Vero Beach, FL in 2013. She attended Miami High, Duke University and graduated from the University of Miami.

Suzie was pre-deceased by her parents Edward and Lillian Claughton, her husband (the love of her life) Robert W. Schmidt and her brother Ed Claughton, Jr. She was previously married to the late Dr. Jerome (Jerry) Matthews who was the father of her five daughters, Donna Adkins, Meryl Godwin, Valerie Watkins, Suzy Gard and Jennifer Matthews. She is also survived by her three stepdaughters, Pam Flewelling, Deborah Eschenbacher and Wendy Frieder, as well as her ten grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

It was because of her radiant personality that she was given the nickname of "Sunshine". She brought that sunny disposition to others as a humor writer. With her writing partner, Carolyn Davenport, they donated their talent by writing many fundraising skits for various charities in Miami. She also wrote a column for Miami Social Magazine and a humor column entitled 'My View From Over The Hill' for Vero Beach FLASH. Suzie was a business woman who, with her brother, previously owned Claughton Island; the official name of the island where the Brickell Key development is located. They also owned the Urmey Hotel in downtown Miami, the Silver Sands Motel on Key Biscayne and the Hound Ears Resort in Boone, NC. She was a Broadway investor and was one of the early investors in the play and movie, Steel Magnolias. Suzie was an organizer and founding member of Beaux Arts Club, Bachelors & Spinsters and Camarilla Club in Miami. In 1953, she was crowned Miami's Poinciana Queen. She loved art and her private collection brought her great joy. She was very active politically and was a proud alternate delegate for the 1980 Republican Convention.

Suzie had a full life and said she had no regrets. She was smart, kind, giving and a whole lot of fun! She will be missed and remembered by the tremendous number of those whose life she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made in her name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital along with sharing your memories of Sunshine on the guest book available online at the Miami Herald. A memorial service will be planned in the spring.