Charlene D. "Sue" Zulandt

Charlene “Sue” Denise Zulandt, 78, of Chardon, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2026. She was born on September 28, 1948, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Henry and Denise (née Nobili) Nemec.

In 1970, Sue married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Zulandt, embarking on a lifelong journey rooted in deep Catholic faith and centered around her greatest blessing: her family. As the proud matriarch of nine children and 20 grandchildren, Sue’s home and heart were always full, and her door was always open. She was a constant, nurturing presence, whether hosting joyful Sunday dinners or cheering on her children and grandchildren enthusiastically from the sidelines. Guided by their Catholic faith, she and Bob crafted a life that was beautifully chaotic, endlessly loving, and centered on family.

Remarkably, alongside raising nine children, Sue devoted over 40 years to her true calling in Catholic education. Driven by a vibrant passion for languages, reading, and learning, she earned her undergraduate degree from Westminster College in Education, French, and German, later earning a master’s degree in reading science from John Carroll University and a master’s degree in administration from Grand Canyon University. Sue poured her heart into classrooms at every level, from elementary reading to college lecture halls, even creating her own reading program to ensure every child received the tailored support they needed to succeed. Her long-held goal was to lead a school as principal, a dream she realized as the capstone of her career when she made history as the first female principal of Benedictine High School.

Sue spent her entire life as part of the Chardon community, where she built lasting relationships and touched the lives of so many. She will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her commitment to education, and the lasting impact she had on those fortunate enough to know her. Her presence will be deeply missed, but the love she gave and the memories she created will live on through her family, friends, former students, and the community she called home.

Sue is survived by her nine children: Rebecca (Robert) Schneider of Chardon; Robert (Laurie) of Hudson; Matthew (Brittany) of Sharps Chapel, Tennessee; Michael (Allison Lee); Joseph (Casey) of Chester Township; Thomas (Jennifer) of Chardon; Daniel (Carolyn) of Wake Forest, North Carolina; Katherine (Justin) Reifert of Washington, D.C.; and David (Paige) of Nashville, Tennessee. She is also survived by her 20 beloved grandchildren: Theresa, Jacob, Katherine, Augustus, Sophia, Samuel, Ella, Adeline, Abbigail, Emmaleigh, Henry, Emelia, Wesley, Eloisa, Alexander, Theodore, Charlotte, Robert, Benjamin, and Abraham.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert, and her parents, Denise and Henry Nemec.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Church of St. Mary, 401 North Street, Chardon, Ohio, with burial to follow at All Souls Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, at Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes at 1009 Mentor Ave, Painesville OH.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Sue’s memory.