Obituary of Dr. Susan J. Cosgrove

NORTH HORNELL: Dr. Susan J. Cosgrove, 71, of Cleveland Ave. passed away peacefully Sunday morning January 15, 2023, surrounded by the comfort, care and love of her family, at the home of her daughter in the town of Erwin after a brief illness. Susan was born November 17, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Dr. Stephen Cosgrove and June Reuter. On April 19, 1980 in Evansville, Indiana, she married Dr. Robert K. Smith who survives and resides in North Hornell. She attended elementary, middle and high school in Evansville, Indiana. Upon graduating from high school Susan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human Anatomy and went on to become a dental hygienist. She worked in her father’s dental office and later moved to Saudi Arabia to work as a hygienist for Aramco. In 1977 she visited a chiropractor and discovered her calling. She attended Logan College of Chiropractic where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1980. While studying at Logan, she met and married Dr. Robert (“Bob”) Smith. Upon his graduation they moved to Lima, NY to join Dr. William Smith Sr. and Jr., Bob’s father and brother in practice. Susan opened a practice in Wayland in 1982 and moved to Hornell in 1990. Susan and Bob worked together as chiropractors in North Hornell for several years and upon Bob’s retirement Susan continued to practice and form the Hornell HealthSource practice. The business resided on Cleveland Avenue before moving to Seneca Road in 2021. Susan worked tirelessly to expand her knowledge in nutrition, and natural and alternative wellness in order to serve her patients. She was passionate about chiropractic and was determined never to retire. She would see patients early in the morning, or late in the evening, and answer calls at all hours. She loved her community and caring for her patients in a way that surpasses professional responsibility. After working together for 30 years, Bonnie has become part of the Cosgrove-Smith family and the family would like to say a special thank you to Bonnie for her friendship over the years. Susan loved to ski and golf. She and her family enjoyed many ski trips over the years to British Columbia, the Northeast, and to mountains in the Rockies and Sierras. She and Bob would golf every week and always tried to both ski and golf on New Year’s Day. Susan and Bob loved to sail and waterski and spent many summers on the finger lakes when their daughters were young. Susan was a voracious reader. She read everything and then she would put it on the shelf and read it again. As a child, she always wanted to be locked in a library all night to read. She was fascinated by science fiction and space exploration. She was also incredibly artistic and would make Halloween costumes for her daughters every year, staying up all night sewing. She also hand-painted Christmas ornaments every year. She could often be found at a local festival or farmer's market supporting local family owned businesses. She was brilliant, kind, caring, and incredibly driven. Susan was a former member, friend and past president of the Canisteo Rotary Club and recipient of Rotary’s Paul Harris Award for dedicated service and contribution to Rotary. Susan was very instrumental in coordinating Canisteo Rotary’s “Ski Weekend” for Rotary International exchanged students in District 7120 for a number of years. Her dedication to Rotary was very much recognized and appreciated by her fellow Rotarians in her willingness to work and contribute unselfishly to the Canisteo community. For many years she volunteered her time to stand outside ringing the bell for Salvation Army during the Holidays. In addition to her husband, Susan is survived by two daughters, Justine (Richard) Valiquette of Corning and Ursula Smith of Austin, TX; and two wonderful grandchildren, Eleanor (“Ellie”) and Julian Valiquette. She is also survived by siblings, Mary Jane Gibson, John Cosgrove, Michelle Funk-Neimeier, Shannon Jones, and Stacy Wright; and beloved stepmother Barbara Cosgrove. Her sisters in law Lesley Johantgen, Jenene Slocum, and brother-in-law Dr. William (“Bill”) Smith survive her as well. Per Susan’s request, there will be no calling hours. There will be a celebration of life gathering at the Station Church, 342 Seneca Rd, Hornell, NY 14843 on Saturday, January 28th from 1pm to 4pm. Susan asked that memorial contributions be made to the charity of your choice. You may also make them to Care First, 3805 Meads Creek Rd. Painted Post, NY 14870. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo. The family would like to thank Mike Smith and his wife Ursula Smith, who were close to Dr. Cosgrove through Canisteo Rotary.