Obituary of Susan K. Cole

CANISTEO: Susan K. “Sue” Cole, 73, of Maple St. passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester after a brief illness. Sue was a life-long resident of the Canisteo Valley, who was born May 15, 1950 in Olean, NY to the late Kenneth and Lida (Frost) Bixby. Sue was a secretary at SUNY Alfred retiring after 20 plus years of employment. Sue was very community minded and felt a great love for Canisteo and the surrounding area. She was a member of the Canisteo Community Group, which is very pro-active in improving the quality and looks of Canisteo to keep the community thriving for all. Faith, family and friends were her greatest passion. Sue enjoyed the company of her family and friends on all occasions from holidays and birthdays to backyard barbeques and traveling. Even a quiet night at home was often spent chatting with friends. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking and passed on her knowledge to her grandchildren who quickly marked her “Susie Homemaker”. Sue also loved reading and had a great talent for her flower gardens. She is survived by a son Jeffrey (Julie) Cole of Pine City, two daughters, Sandra (Daniel) Thompson of Arkport and Amy (Matias) Gonzalez of Scottsville, her grandchildren, Kayla Drake, Jakob and Alyssa Cole, Grace and Danny Thompson, Miguel Gonzalez, one great granddaughter, Aurora Drake and former husband and friend, Jack Cole. She is also survived by her two brothers Larry (Priscilla) Bixby and Michael (Patricia) Bixby all of Canisteo and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 1-3 and 6-8 pm Monday, September 4, at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo, where a funeral service will take place Tuesday, September 5, at 11:00 am. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Canisteo. Memorial contributions may be made to the Canisteo Ambulance Fund, 14 South Main St. Canisteo, NY 14823.