Susan Borneman Oakley, age 73, of Springfield, Missouri passed away peacefully at 8:10 PM February 20th at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri. She was born the daughter of Frederick and Patricia Borneman in Springfield, MO on March 17th, 1951.

Only a fraction of Susan's accomplishments and achievements can be listed here as she lived a full life of rich experience. She was a cheerleader and vice president of her senior class in high school and she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and English from Missouri State before moving and earning a Master's Degree in Theatre Education from UMKC. She also received lifetime teaching certificates in Theatre and English Education.

She found her love of theatre in college and dedicated her life to the arts. She traveled with the USO across Europe and performed with repertory theatre companies in Missouri and Florida. In the mid 70s she made the move to New York and found her place in the comedy scene. She and her comedy partner, Joel Greenhouse, were a successful comedy duo who performed in clubs and radio commercials. She was once shortlisted for Saturday Night Live, but it was decided that she looked too much like Jane Curtin.

It was in New York that she married Paul Oakley in 1979 and in 1986 gave birth to their daughter, Elizabeth. Soon after they decided to move back to Missouri to be closer to family. In Springfield Susan was primarily a teacher, teaching at MSU, OTC, and Republic High School before retiring in 2018. She also performed in many community theater productions with Springfield Little Theatre and Vandivort Center Theatre in addition to other venues. "Brilliant", "dynamic", and "a legend" are only some of the words that those who knew her applied to her many and varied performances.

She was the funniest and most clever person you could ever meet. She could always find her light and knew how to hold a crowd like no one else. Her love for drama sparked creativity in all who crossed her path and her lessons went beyond the classroom, teaching us the power of storytelling and the beauty of expression. Susan leaves behind an incredible legacy of laughter and love that touched the lives of her family, friends, students, and co-stars.

All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Susan's exit leaves in its wake ripples that touch the lives of everyone who ever saw her, knew her, and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her father, Frederick H Borneman Sr. and her brother Frederick H Borneman, Jr. She is also preceded in death by her ex-husband, Paul Oakley.

Susan is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Oakley, stepson Patrick Ijima-Washburn, daughter-in-law Saho Ijima-Washburn, and granddaughter Selina Ijima-Washburn. She is also survived by mother Patricia Borneman, sisters Lori Fuge and Elizabeth Meiner, and brothers Cary, Christopher, and David Borneman. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral mass services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, March 1st at Immaculate Conception with Father Nick Zummo officiating, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. A luncheon will be served following the service.

If you send flowers please make sure they are not poisonous to cats. Better yet, in lieu of flowers please make a donation to Ozarks Food Harvest.