Suzanne M Akley

Suzanne M. Akley, 60, of Daytona Beach FL, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, after a valiant battle against metastatic cancer. Born in Springfield, MA to Eugene L. and the late Irene O. (Hoague) Akley, she was raised in Massachusetts and graduated from Millbury High School before she eventually made Florida her permanent residence.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in business, Suzanne spent her career in the hospitality industry, an ideal fit for her natural charisma and outgoing personality. Early on, she developed her skills over a series of jobs including working for Disney cruise line and as Assistant Manager at Disney’s Contemporary Hotel, then moving on to join Hilton Brands, managing various properties in the Daytona area including Hampton Inn in Deland and Hilton Garden Inn in Daytona Beach. She was exceptional at what she did and was always looking for ways to recognize her employees and support the local community when managing her hotels, a testament to her never-ending generosity. Most recently, she was working for Gate 1 Travel, her self-described dream job, before retiring due to her illness. Suzanne’s aptitude to project positivity along with a smile that wouldn’t quit made easy work of making lifelong friends, to whom she was fiercely loyal and giving. She was an avid fan of NASCAR racing, George Strait, the Boston Celtics and the New England Patriots. She loved the beach, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying several “girls’ trips.” Suzanne absolutely adored her cats, Nala, Lucy and Sophie, whom she lovingly pampered.

Suzanne leaves six siblings in Massachusetts: her sisters Brenda Amedeo and husband Sal of Ludlow; Rita Hoague of Warren; Yvonne Conway of Millbury; Lori Esposito and husband Robert of Shrewsbury; and Jennifer Potter of Shrewsbury; her brother Eugene “Buck” Akley Jr. of Charlton. She also leaves her father Eugene Akley of Ocklahawa FL, and several nephews and nieces. In addition to her family members, Suzanne also leaves behind her beloved best friends, Atwinda Elisala of Orlando FL, and Johnny Davis of Port Orange FL, along with many close friends and coworkers. She was predeceased by her mother Irene (Hoague) Akley.

Suzanne’s family and friends extend their heart-felt gratitude to the amazing staff at Halifax Hospice Center in Port Orange for their exceptional care of Suzanne during her final days.

A celebration of Suzanne’s life will be held in Florida, with a date to be announced; please email atwinda@msn.com to be updated with the final information about the Celebration. Burial services will be held privately in Massachusetts. 

Donations in Suzanne’s honor can be made to either the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa FL or Halifax Hospice Center in Port Orange FL.