Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 23, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Dr. Suzanne Irene Matzat Degni of Charlotte, North Carolina, died on Monday, December 23, 2024.  She was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 22, 1938, to Raymond and Irene Alvarez Matzat, sharing a birthday with her father, a railroad engineer who drove the Silver Meteor from Jacksonville to Miami throughout her childhood.  The family grew to include sister Monteen and spent happy summers at Kingsley Lake where the girls skied, lifeguarded at Strickland’s Landing and often swam across the two-mile wide lake. 

Attending Florida State University on a music scholarship, Suzanne joined Delta Zeta sorority and the Baptist Student Choir, which was invited to perform at the cadet graduation ceremony at Spence Air Base in Moultrie, GA.  There she met Michael Degni, a young airman from Utica, New York, and both experienced what Italians call the thunderbolt, a sudden, powerful love at first sight.  They married in 1958 and moved to Plattsburgh Air Force Base where Mike was a pilot with the Strategic Air Command during the Cold War and daughters Michele and Julie were born.  Upon graduating from the University of Florida on the GI Bill, Mike’s banking career took the family to Dunedin (where son John was born), Winter Park, Boynton Beach and Tampa.  Throughout each move, in every town and for the rest of her life, the Episcopal Church would be a constant, guiding light. 

Suzanne completed her bachelor and masters degrees in Education and in 1970 began her career in Florida's public schools.  She found her calling in teaching and later in teaching teachers.  Upon moving to Charlotte in the 1980s, she commuted to UNC-Greensboro to earn her doctorate prior to Mike’s untimely death in 1992.  She went on to become a tenured professor at Queens University where she taught for over 20 years, winning the Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award and the Fuqua Distinguished Educator Award.  She also served as president of the Charlotte Reading Association. 

In the community, she was a docent at The Mint Museum and the Charlotte Museum of History, and a member of Christ Church for more than 40 years.  Suzanne married Dr. Walter F. Erston in 2000.  In retirement they divided their time between Charlotte and their adored ‘pink house’ in Charleston, SC. 

Suzanne loved animals, art, children’s literature, nature, creativity.  She worked so hard yet always made a beautiful home and an amazing classroom. 

Suzanne is survived by her three children, Michele (David) Kingery, Julie (Mike) Marr and John (Jamie) Degni; seven beloved grandchildren, Christian, Madison, Chloe, Redding, Yates, Italia, Ian and their partners and ten great-grandchildren; her sister, Monteen Bourne; nephews, Banks and Ben Bourne, and her Degni nieces and nephews in New York and Italy.

A private service will be held at Christ Church followed by burial in the memorial garden. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207, or to an organization that is close to your heart. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.