Susan Carol VanHouten, 65, of Geneva passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2024, after a sudden acute illness at University of Miami Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Sue was born August 9, 1958 in North Massapequa, New York, the daughter of Marilyn (Walsh) O'Herron and the late Francis "Buddy" George. She graduated from Farmingdale High School in 1976 and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in public relations and journalism from Buffalo State University, followed by a master's degree in education at Nazareth College in Rochester.
Sue was an incredible mother, devoted wife, and humble in her many life accomplishments. In 1981, she met the love of her life, Jay, and upon moving to Geneva, worked for the Finger Lakes WIC Program, a supplemental food and nutrition education program for women, infants, and children. When her daughters Annalise and Karina were born, Sue gladly stepped back to be a stay-at-home mother for thirteen years, while substitute teaching in the Geneva City School District and attending every single PTA meeting and class party. In 2000, she went back to work full time, and spent the next 20 years as an elementary school teacher at Dundee Central Schools, where as a pre-K, third, fifth and sixth grade teacher, she mentored her younger colleagues and hundreds of students, many of whom came to feel like children of her own. She was passionate about education and shaping the lives of the young people trusted in her care.
A voracious reader and gifted writer, Sue had an astounding vocab and was a lover of words. She taught both her daughters to read before kindergarten and inspired their lifelong bibliophilism. Throughout her teaching career, she took a special interest in literacy, creating a robust classroom library for her students. At home, she was a "foodie" and talented cook. She loved feeding her family and trying new healthy recipes. Sue also had an exquisite green thumb. Every spring, she delighted in planting beautiful flowers in her yard, and took great care of her many houseplants, some of which she'd had since college. In fact, soon after Sue first met Jay, she took off for a preplanned months-long stay in California, but left her towels-and precious plants--with him. She knew even then that she would be coming back to Geneva, and that he was The One.
Sue cared deeply for her lifelong friends in Geneva, and she and Jay spent many summer weekends touring wineries, going for boat rides on Seneca Lake, and spending time around people who made her laugh. She loved the Finger Lakes, the sunrises over Seneca, and the beautiful quiet of their family home on Kashong Road. She and Jay took regular trips to North Carolina and Florida while the girls were young, and in later years, Sue loved to visit her daughters in New York City, eating and walking her way through Manhattan. She and Jay traveled to Ireland, England, France, Italy and Mallorca with their daughters-a lifelong dream. She was thrilled to take part in three family weddings in two years (Annalise's, Karina's, and then Annalise's Covid re-do) and delighted in her amazing sons-in-law. In retirement, she and Jay spent winters in Florida, and Sue was never happier than when she was on a beach.
To Sue, family was everything, and her daughters were beyond lucky to have her as their first-and best-teacher. They sadly did not inherit her golden tan but are grateful to have gotten her strength, resilience and caring spirit-all the parts that really matter. Days before her passing they listened to Sue's favorite novel, A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle, on audiobook. In the book, one of the characters says about life, "You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you." Sue exemplified this; her life was a truly magnificent sonnet, and her greatest legacy is the beautiful family she and Jay created. Her family is so grateful for the time they had together, and she will remain in their hearts forever.
Sue is survived by her husband of nearly 39 years, Jay VanHouten; daughters, Annalise (Patrick Smyton) VanHouten of Philadelphia and Karina (James) Rogers of Miami; mother, Marilyn O'Herron of Beacon, New York; brothers, Gregory (Patti Green) George of Williamsville, New York and Jonathan (Jessie Shifflet) Wong of Warrenton, Virginia; sister, Eileen George of Beacon, New York; step-sisters, Lorry (Chris) Connors of Norfolk, Virginia, Terry (Kevin) Glassman of Old Brookville, New York, Ginny (Ray) Farragher of Citrus Heights, California, Mary Imhof of Sacramento, California; Rosie, her adoring grand-pup; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Sue was predeceased by her father, Francis "Buddy" George; step-mother, Josephine George; and step-brother, Joseph Imhof.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Sue on Saturday, (June 1), at The Cracker Factory in Geneva, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. All are welcome to drop in, share memories, and honor Sue's life together.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Geneva Reads program or the Geneva Public Library. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude for the immense outpouring of love and support from the community.
