DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Susan Cornish, 60, of Daytona Beach, Fla., died peacefully with family at her side on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010 at Halifax Health Center under the care of Hospice.

She was born in Oneida, N.Y. on March 24, 1950, the daughter of Phyllis and Jack Lerch Sr. Sue married Carlton Cornish of Verona on May 5, 1973.

Sue attended Oneida schools and graduated from OHS in 1968. She attended Central City Business Institute pursuing degrees in business and accounting.

She began her career as a business owner with the opening of Oneida Video and TV in 1980. As a pioneer in the video rental business, she grew the business to include the main stores in Oneida, Rome and Camden and 14 satellite stores in central and northern communities of New York. In 1985, she brought her expertise to the creation and subsequent expansion of Oneida Pet Supply to other cities in New York and Florida. She was a hands-on entrepreneur in Cappy’s Food and Beverage and Classique Finish Salon. She retired from business in 1996.

Sue had a passion, affinity, understanding and respect for animals that led her to devote much of her life to working with and caring for them. For many years she was actively involved with the standard bred race horses of Cornish Stables in Verona. She was a licensed breeder of exotic birds and a wildlife rehabilitator. In 1990 she became a foster parent to Phoebe, a baby capuchin monkey from Helping Hands. Sue became an advocate for the handicapped community and a tireless supporter of Helping Hands. Through the years, many monkeys experienced her fostering and one of her greatest joys had been to learn they all completed Monkey College and have gone on to fulfill their purpose by enriching the life of a handicapped individual.

In her retirement, she enjoyed full-time RVing and became involved in business again as an accountant for a tropical fish distributor and manager of a children’s consignment shop. She had earned her private pilot license in 1991 and continued her aviation training at Embry-Riddle University. She enjoyed boating on the Halifax River, a good game of poker, cruising as often as possible, doting on Molly and Audrey and riding her Harley with her Biker Buddies.

Sue is survived by her life partner, Babette “Bugs” Omland of Daytona Beach, Fla.; daughter, Jody and Damian Gonzales of Haledon, N.J.; son, James of Orlando, Fla.; granddaughter, Molly Anna Gonzales; her mother and stepfather, Phyllis and Dick Hammerle of Port Orange, Fla. She leaves a sister, Becky and Steve Reed of Verona and four brothers, Jack and Carol Lerch Jr. of Oneida, Randy Lerch of Port Orange, Fla., Jeff Lerch of Oneida and Kevin and Vanessa Lerch of Verona. Many dear friends and extended family mourn her loss including the Granieri, Montanarelli and Somervill families, her “adopted” children, Tanya and Mike Royston and her Goddaughter, Audrey Ann Royston.

Sue was predeceased by Aurora Royston in January 2010 and granddaughter, Madeleine Sophia Gonzales on July 21, 2010.

There are no words to express the gratitude to those who ministered to Sue on her journey. The doctors and nurses on the seventh floor at Halifax and every one who came into Sue’s life through Hospice demonstrated compassion, empathy and a level of skill and dedication that brought peace and comfort to Sue and her loved ones.

There will be no calling hours for Susan Cornish, 60, of Daytona Beach, Fla. and formerly of Oneida, N.Y., who passed away on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010. A memorial service will be held in Florida at the convenience of the family. Sue requested in place of flowers that donations to one’s favorite charity; a humane society, Helping Hands (monkeyhelpers.org) or Hospice (hovf.org) be considered.