Susan J. Koehler

Susan J. “Suzy” Koehler, 78, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, at her home in Cheshire, CT, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on May 26, 1947, in Brooklyn, NY, Suzy was the daughter of Howard and Theresa Yost. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, David R. Koehler. Suzy is survived by her beloved children: David and his wife Kristin, Jill and her partner Rick, Scott and his wife Megan, and Dawn and her husband Chris. She was the proud and adoring grandmother of five grandchildren – Hannah, Madelyn, Sophia, Yasmin, and Raegan — her "angels," and the absolute light of her life. Suzy also leaves behind her cherished Cheshire neighbors, who became a beautiful extension of her family and provided her with unwavering love and care during her treasured years on Lynwood Drive Ext.

Growing up, Suzy spent many joyful summers on her relatives’ farm, where she often reminisced about making “fly pancakes” and singing silly songs on Mount Bob. Those childhood memories sparked a lifelong love for farm life, country music, trucks, and cowboys.

As an adult, Suzy found joy in creating ceramics, sharing tea with friends, and tending to her garden — she had a remarkable green thumb and took pride in growing beautiful trees and flowers. She always had a fearless spirit and a knack for mastering the unexpected. Whether she was behind the wheel of the RV — parking that massive thing with the precision of someone slipping a Smart Car into a tight city spot — or captaining the boat, she did it all with confidence and style. She made it look easy, but anyone who’s seen her in action knows it was skill, not luck (with or without the walkie-talkies).

Following her retirement, she devoted herself to caring for her husband during his long battle with MS until his passing in 2016.

In her later years, Suzy embraced life’s simple pleasures, especially spending time laughing with family and friends. She loved outings with her dear friends, often in search of bargains at GW’s (Goodwill), Aldi’s, Ollie’s, and consignment shops. At home, she found comfort in the background hum of Hallmark movies or home renovation shows.

An artist, poet, and dreamer, Suzy had a rare and radiant gift — when she loved you, you felt it in every way. Her warmth, humor, and unwavering devotion touched all who knew her, and will be greatly missed.