Susan (Sue) Elizabeth Reynolds
Our beloved sister, aunt and niece, died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack on February 9, 2018. Sue was about to celebrate her 64th birthday on February 16. She passed away in the company of her much loved (and spoiled) pet cats: Ruby, Henry, Sophia and Oscar. They were a daily source of joy for her, having the run of the house and toys.
Sue returned to school several times to enrich her career. She held three master’s degrees: School Counseling, Audiology, and Social Work – for which she was permanently certified. Recently she worked as a social worker with students at Webster Thomas High School and the Rochester Academy Charter School. She was formerly a clinical social worker at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center.
Sue was in a swing dancing club for several years. She loved the music, the good company and skirts that flared out as she moved. She often went to “Meet Ups” for hiking and beautiful nature walks. She took great pride in her home garden. She dug, weeded and planted to her heart’s content. Her little house was in deplorable condition when she bought it, but after years of work and TLC she created an adorable home that she dearly loved.
One of her good friends referred to her as “such an adventurous woman.” Her life’s journey took her to a Missouri farm co-op with no running water or heat (not even an out-house); tending a storefront in the middle of nowhere while living in a trailer; joining an archeology dig in New Mexico; and most recently, traveling to Turkey with co-workers.
Her church- and work-friends were a constant in her life. They filled her days with warm conversation and moral support and filled her evenings with laughter and many dinners out.
Sue enjoyed any opportunity to spend time with her nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and many aunts, uncles and cousins at family celebrations and vacations. She always jumped at the chance to spend time at Canandaigua Lake or Keuka Lake, staying at a lakeside cottage with family. She chatted with family and neighbors, and happily watched the children playing or actively joined them in their games.
A few years ago, Sue lost her mom, Elinor, which was a tremendous loss for her. She is survived by her three siblings, Pat (David) Gawlik, Bill (Sharon) Reynolds and Jim (Joan) Reynolds as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
We will all miss this beautiful and precious woman: our sister, our aunt, our niece, our cousin and our friend.
To honor her love for her dear pets, donations can be made to: Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport, NY 14450.
A celebration of Sue’s life with family and friends will be held at a later date.
My condolences to the family, Ms. Reynolds was a very close person to me. For many reasons I treasure her persona. She saved my life a year ago when i had thoughts of suicide and an anxiety attack meanwhile going through a really bad depression. She sat in the hospital by my side along with my parents and her coworker. Ms. Reynolds helped mold me into a better student for many years she played a very big role in the changes i made helping me stay in school and enroll into college. She played a big role in the choosing of my field. I am very grateful to have been apart of her life, its such a coincidence that i got to see her almost everyday last summer at my old job and we’d speak on many things we gained a strong bond since before i even graduated. If it wasnt for Ms. Reynolds i would not be here today! May she rest in paradise…
Thank you Mrs.Reynolds. I am very grateful that i had the opportunity to meet you. You helped me and so many like me on a daily you will not be forgotten.
Sue I will miss you. I enjoyed the walks and other outings we did. You were so happy when working on your beautiful gardens. Glad I lived almost across the street from you. Would love seeing Ruby coming and going from my yard, sitting on top of your car when he wanted to come in. Loved the other 3 cuties. You will be missed very much.
To Sue’s beautiful family my heartfelt sympathy. Sue was a very deep and thoughtful soul. I initially met Sue in church in our Soul Matters group. When she spoke it was always with deep conviction and at times pain. She so loved her family a dand loved spending time with her Mom n her final years. She loved a good hug and didn’t scrimp when she hugged back. I wished her happy birthday n Facebook and told her missed seeing her. I don’t know if she saw the posting. I am very sad as I know her loving family is. I hope you all feel the warmth, love and a great big hug I am sending to you all. Love, Elaine
My sincere condolences to Sue’s family. She was a great neighbor who I will dearly miss. I always saw her out gardening and doing yard work and she took a lot of pride in making her house look nice. She really cared about the neighborhood and strived to keep this a nice place to live. I will also miss her cat Ruby that also kept an eye on the neighborhood. It won’t be the same without them.
We just found out about Sue’s passing by accident while searching for another obituary for a dear friend who passed away this weekend. I just can’t believe she is no longer with us. Although I have not seen her in quite a while, we did keep in touch after she left Rochester Hearing and Speech. I always treasured her friendship and guidance while we worked together. She helped me with our most difficult cases by consulting with classroom teachers and parents, and helping the families to find the help they needed for their children. Sue and I also presented several in-services together to our colleagues and early childhood staff on the importance of a child’s early emotions and what they mean. She was always thorough and insightful in her talks. No one has ever taken her place at RHSC nor could they. Her soul, not just her intellect, was always present in all that she did. I will miss her terribly and if the memorial has not yet taken place, would like to attend if possible.
Whenever I think of Sue, I always see that wonderful smile. It was such a pleasure to work with her, even for such a short amount of time. When Sue first came to interview at Webster Thomas, we were so excited to have her join our team we wouldn’t let her leave the parking lot. Sue had such a calm, gentle demeanor that just being in her presence felt like being touched by a ray of sunshine. I know she touched many students lives while she was here. Please contact me at Thomas if there is anything we can do for you.
I extend sympathy to Sue’s family & close friends. I knew Sue from church & enjoyed an occasional chat w/ her. Being a fellow Social Worker I can say I admire the work she did & her dedication to helping people thru some rough spots in life . And being a fellow animal lover, bless her for her love & devotion to her cats. I hope her passing was quick & easy. I will miss seeing her at church.
Susan Steepy
I found out about Sue’s passing quite by accident.I have not seen any of you for many years but I wanted to express my sadness for your loss. I’m sorry that I never had the opportunity to know her. She certainly seems to have played an important role in many lives. In all of my memories, Sue is very young, as we all were then. I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you at this difficult time.
I just learned of Sue’s passing and want to extend my deep condolences to her family. I was Sue’s supervisor for much of the time she worked at Rochester Hearing and Speech Center. She was a valuable member of our team providing excellent services to her clients and support to her colleagues. As the only Social Worker in the agency, she often identified and advocated for programs and services to better meet our families needs. It was a pleasure to know
her.
My sympathy to her family and friends. Sue and I had such nice conversations that usually began with school-related business and veered into family, gardens, exercise, and the inherent beauty of Rochester’s Charlotte area, where she enjoyed her walks. I will always remember Sue’s gentle manner with students. She had a way of seeing past facades and into the humanity of hurting young people. I feel honored to have known and worked with her. Please do keep us apprised about a memorial service.
Sue was such a nice person, so warm and friendly to all who knew her. She worked closely with many of my students, and always went the extra mile to keep everyone in the loop. She was a strong advocate for her students, and they were lucky to have worked with her. It was so nice to read this obituary and to learn more about Sue’s love for her family and her interests. We are all so very sorry for your loss, and will miss her smiling face around the halls of Webster Thomas.
I am deeply sorry for your loss and praying for her family. I cant believe this i use to go and talk to her everyday she was a very nice person. I loved the way she had a smile on her face anytime we talked. We talked about so many things like college and what i wanted to do in college. I’m gonna miss ms reynolds
To the Family of Susan: I work at Webster Thomas High School and had only know Susan since she started here in September as a long term sub. From the little time I knew her, I could she that she was a kind person with a soft and loving heart. She would stop down to the main office and chat with me and was always so pleasant enjoying conversing with her. I am so sorry for your loss, Susan will always be remembered here at Thomas as one of our Titans.
Sincerely,
Donna Gaudino
Sue was such a wonderful person to work with I was blessed to have meant her! Prayers and thoughts for the family God Bless You All Sue will be missed!!!!
Miss Reynolds was one of the best people I’ve ever met. She’s helped me get thru my suicidal times and made me appreciate the meaning of life. She’s helped me love myself when I used to beat my myself up about not looking like these other girls. I wanted to feel wanted and feel like I belonged and she helped me become independent. She’s truly the greatest person I’ve ever met. All the bullying and drama i went thru, she was always there when no one else was. I love her so much and appreciate everything she’s done for me. She is molding me into the woman I am today and I really am thankful for her helping me achieve that. I will pray for her every night and hope that she makes it to heaven. Fly high angel u are beautiful and loved.
My condolences to the Reynolds family. She was such a blessing to RACS. I remember when I had to be rushed to the emergency room after a basketball game she was the first to be there . Times I’ve been kicked out of class she would pull me into her office and use words of encouragement. She knew everyone in that school very personal well most people and treated use with motherly love . So I know God has a great resting place for you
Love-Keith
Thank you so much for the love and support you showed for me, I am so blessed to have met you and to have had the opportunity to learn from you. Rest in peace and may god bless and watch over you.
My condolences to her family.. Ms.Reynolds was an amazing woman whom I’m glad i got to meet. Days where i couldn’t seem to understand why i was going through what i was, days i wanted to give up on everything, she was there. Listening to me, watching me boo hoo cry & making sure i left her room feeling better and knowing i was never alone as long as she lived. She was filled with so much joy, so much love. Man, that woman changed the lives of so many young adults. May god bless your family & May you Rest In Peace..
will always remember our time together
Sue, I miss our weekend dinners and outings together. Your great sense of humor, perspective and tenacity is greatly missed!