Susan Ellen LaWare — sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend — died suddenly on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. She was 72 years old.
Sue was born in Brooklyn, New York, and moved with her family to Yonkers as a small child. Eventually her family relocated to Peekskill, where she graduated from Peekskill High School with honors and a long list of intellectual and academic achievements. She earned 100s on every math test she took, except for one where she got a 98. She told this story many times.
Sue was a bookworm, a crafter and an excellent baker. She was happiest at home knitting, reading or doing a crossword puzzle. During her life she had many careers — bookkeeper, taxi driver, truck driver, EMT and entrepreneur. She took a college math class in Spanish — she did not speak Spanish — but loved nothing more than a problem to solve. She was stubborn, brilliant, and very articulate and would argue just for the sake of argument — it was her love language.
Her luck was such that there was never an easy path in her life. She suffered many setbacks and hardships but always picked herself up, brushed herself off and continued on her way.
In her final years, she flourished. She lived on her own but found a place in her community. She frequently spent time with, and was greatly loved by her many grandchildren, who miss her already. She was making plans for the future.
While we, her family, are heartbroken that she won’t have the opportunity to see those plans through, we are joyful that she found an island of stability and peace in her life. Wherever she is now, we know she’s finally at ease, hopefully with a huge pile of books and crossword puzzles nearby.
Susan was predeceased by her parents, John and Jean LaWare, and her longtime partner, Fred DiMichele. She is survived by her brother, Bill LaWare (Maureen), her sister Maureen Oberman (Chris), her four children: Rob Hurley (Sonia), Jim Cairl (Vic), Stephanie Varricchio (Jed) and Tim Cairl (Sandra), as well as a small army of grandchildren: Jaden, Gianna, Madeline, Ava, Finn, Morgan, Connor, Nolan, Will, Jackson, Jovie and Greyson.
A wake and visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Dorsey-Carlone Funeral Home, 1100 Cortlandt St., Peekskill, New York. A private burial service for immediate family will follow.
