Susan Lynne James Halliday, 66, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, surrounded by family, following a relentless life-long battle with various cancers starting at the age of five. Susan will be remembered as the ultimate cancer survivor with nine rounds of four different types of cancers. Her deep faith in Jesus Christ carried her through her cancer challenges, while providing numerous miracles along the way.

Susan was born July 4, 1959 in Ravenna, Ohio, to Dale and Janice (Allshouse) James. Susan spent most of her early years in Ohio. She was a 1977 graduate of Waynedale High School. She then attended Otterbein College in Ohio, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 1981. While piano was her primary instrument, she excelled at trumpet and french horn, and she sang soprano in numerous choirs. She enjoyed marching band, plays and musicals, and she always had a passion for working with students.

Susan taught elementary music in Bay Village and Southeast Local schools in Ohio. After marrying her first husband, Kenneth Stoltzfus in 1983, they moved to North Carolina to enjoy the warm weather and Lake Norman. They welcomed their son, David James, in 1987, and daughter, Leanne Marie, in 1993.

Susan continued teaching elementary music in the Iredell-Statesville School System until she retired in 2022. Throughout her career, she enthusiastically served 800 to 1,000 students each year and was fondly known as “Ms. Music” throughout the community. Each year, Susan directed elaborate musicals with vocals, instruments, and costumes. She believed music was the universal language and was a skill that students could enjoy the rest of their life. The love she gave to those students, the joy she sparked through music, and the kindness she showed every day created a ripple effect that will continue far beyond what anyone can see. Susan was very proud that many of her elementary students went on to pursue band, choir, and participate in musicals while in their secondary education. Susan inspired many, specifically her daughter, Leanne, to be an elementary school teacher herself.

While teaching music, Susan wore many hats. She taught private piano lessons, helped young couples purchase their first home as a Realtor, and was a landlord, all with a smile. One of her favorite things was singing in the church praise and worship team and being a part of many different Bible studies.

In 2017, Susan married Peter Halliday, a life-long friend from Canada. She was his “Carolina Girl.” They enjoyed their time at the lake, boating, and visiting his cottage in Canada. Their biggest joy was spending time with their combined kids, David, Katie, Jonathan, and Leanne, and especially their beloved grandkids; Hunter, Austin, Luke, and Adam. Susan was proudly promoted from amazing Mom to fabulous Mimi, a name she cherished.

Susan’s Dad always joked that she had “wheels on her butt” because she loved to be on the go. She enjoyed vacationing with family in Florida and Canada, going on family cruises, jetsetting to European exploration trips, going on local adventures to the North Carolina mountains and beaches, and simple day trips to local museums and parks.

Susan’s small stature was in contrast with her big personality, colorful style, and statement jewelry. Susan was a force of nature. She was a leader, a planner, and was endlessly enthusiastic about anything her people were passionate about. People were drawn to her due to her magnetic personality. Throughout her many stays in hospitals, she always seemed to find the nurses that went above and beyond. She was genuine and kind, even in the face of incredible surgical pain and the insurmountable odds of healing over and over again. Locally, she was called “Super Susan” through her incredible journey fighting and surviving many different types and rounds of cancer.

Susan will be deeply missed by her husband Peter Halliday; her children David (Dannielle) Stoltzfus and Leanne (Austin) Rose, both of Mooresville; Peter’s children, Katie Ward and Jonathan Halliday of Canada; brother Scott (Anjanette) James of Wooster, Ohio; and sister Sherri (Tom) Machamer of Wooster, Ohio. She will be missed by many nieces and nephews in Ohio, friends and countless students in North Carolina. Her legacy will continue within the hearts of those that loved her.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Janice James, formerly from Fredericksburg, Ohio.

A true Celebration of Life Service will be held on Sunday, May 24, at 3:30 p.m. at Williamson’s Chapel, Mooresville, with Reverend Toni Ruth Smith officiating. Please join the family in celebrating Susan’s spirit by dressing in her favorite color pink and fun floral patterns. Following the service, friends may visit and celebrate with the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her honor to the American Cancer Society or the Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the family.