Susan B.G. Bradman

Susan B.G. Bradman CROSSWICKS - Susan Biddle Grosskreuz Bradman, a longtime Crosswicks resident who spent more than 40 years actively volunteering for area historical organizations and passionately advocating for historic preservation, died peacefully at home in Crosswicks on Saturday. She was 89. During the nearly 70 years Mrs. Bradman lived in Burlington County, she served as president of the Burlington County Historical Society and the Bordentown Historical Society; vice president of the Chesterfield Township Historical Society; vice president and charter member of the Friends of the Mansion at Smithville; chairperson and charter member of the Burlington County Cultural and Heritage Commission; trustee and secretary of the Crosswicks Foundation; member of the New Jersey Historical Society; and member of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of New Jersey. The widow of the late Army Lt. Col. John Bradman, she traveled the world extensively with her children during her husband's various tours of duty and was a pioneering member of the Girl Scouts of the USA while living abroad. Mrs. Bradman served as deputy director of USA Girl Scouts in Stuttgart, Germany, and as chairperson of USA Girl Scouts Far East in Taiwan; she also opened Taiwan's first USA Girl Scout camp. In addition, she was the co-leader and founder of the first Girl Scout troop in Crosswicks, established in 1953. On March 17, 1961, Mrs. Bradman became the first American serviceman's wife to visit the offshore military installation on Taiwan's island of Matsu at the special invitation of former Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek. Mrs. Bradman worked as the librarian at the now-defunct Bordentown Military Institute, where her husband served as commandant of cadets. She later became an active board member of the BMI Alumni Association and assisted with organizing reunions through 2006. Survivors include three daughters, Susann B. Leidemer of Crosswicks, Cynthia B. Suozzo (and husband Michael) of Lansing, KS, and Jacqueline B. Ginther (and husband Gene) of Stafford, VA; six grandchildren, Catherine S. Leidemer, Michael John Suozzo, Matthew C. Suozzo, Susan M. Suozzo, Cynthia G. Ralph and Margaret S. Ginther; and one great-granddaughter, Jessica Susann Ralph. Mrs. Bradman was preceded in death by her husband in addition to three sons, Charles Biddle Bradman, Army 1st Lt. John Frederic Bradman and Robert Ellis Bradman. Memorial contributions may be made to The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409-6230. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the Peppler Funeral Home, Bordentown.

Return to In Memoriam