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UCH Board Sees End of Legacy, Welcomes New A
fter 11 years on the United Church Homes Board of Directors, Sue Ellis attended her final Board meetings in May, leaving a legacy that extends three generations. Sue joined the Board in February 2007 as UCH faced an uncertain future, due to the recession that took a financial toll on the organization. The Board needed to make tough decisions to guide the organization through those difficult times and prepare for a stronger future, she said. Sue’s relationship with United Church Homes started with her United Church of Christ roots and experiences at Fairhaven Community in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Her grandfather, George Schoedinger, gave to Fairhaven for years, and her father, Robert Schoedinger, continued the tradition, helping to fund an expansion at Fairhaven that included the Gathering Place. Sue has extended her family’s legacy of giving with her generous donations over many years. Sue is a strategic donor who challenges Board members to contribute to UCH each year to reach their goal of 100 percent participation by sponsoring an incentive for a matching gift to increase their total giving. She was a lead donor in 2011 to support
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Fairhaven’s Capital Campaign and in 2016 signed on to be a founding funder of United Church Homes’ innovative Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging. Most recently, she led the charge of an aggressive Board goal for United Church Homes’ $20 million comprehensive Campaign for Abundant Life by making another generous gift. In 2017, Sue was recognized with the exclusive President’s Award of Distinction for her generosity, leadership and vision for the organization. In 2013, Sue was recognized as the honoree for the Ben M. Herbster Award for Fairhaven Community, again following in her father’s footsteps. He was recognized with the distinguished honor in 1999. A lifelong educator who taught every grade from pre-kindergarten through college, Sue brought her passion to the Board with a special interest in benevolent care. Her late father was a former president of the Ohio Masonic Home, and her family has a long history of helping older adults.
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Sue enjoyed her time on United Church Homes’ former Resident Services Committee, which combined Housing and Healthcare Services. She was Board vice chair from 2010-13 and served on the housing, advancement, governance, staff relations and advancement performance committees throughout her tenure. In addition to her service to United Church Homes, Sue is on the Board of Directors for Andrews Osborne Academy, Willoughby,
