Susan (Suzy) Haas Orthwein died Monday, April 16, at the age of 67 years, at home surrounded by family and close friends after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
She was pre-deceased by her mother, Dorothy Marston Haas, and her father, George Charles Haas, Jr. Suzy will be lovingly remembered by her children, Jennifer (Meredith) and Peter, Jr. (Sara), as well as her sisters, Judy Eshelman and Sally Colbert, and the lights of her life, her five grandchildren, Sophia, Benjamin, Timothy, Aaron, and Charlotte.
Born Aug. 1, 1950 in New York City, Suzy spent her childhood in Stamford and Weston. She attended The Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, followed by Hollins College in Roanoke, Virg. Suzy studied and then practiced nursing in Norwalk. After living in Redding, Suzy moved to Greenwich. She continued to be a nurse before embarking on a career with Mary Kay Cosmetics, which allowed her the flexibility to raise her children. She quickly rose to become a top Regional Director before beginning a new career in real estate, which had always been a passion for her. She was a successful real estate agent with Prudential Connecticut Realty and Berkshire Hathaway in Greenwich until her passing.
Suzy spent the final 17 years of her life living in Stamford, where she fulfilled a dream of living “on the water” and forged many cherished friendships. She was also very passionate about her service as a Volunteer Domestic Violence Victims Advocate at the Stamford Court. Suzy enjoyed traveling with family and friends. She loved being a grandmother, “ZuZu,” above all else. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer she found the courage, dignity and strength to fight the disease for six years, inspiring her family and her friends with her indomitable spirit. She will forever be loved and greatly missed.
A memorial service for Suzy will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, at Christ Church Greenwich, 254 East Putnam Ave. Suzy asked that donations be made in her memory to Bennett Cancer Center, One Hospital Plaza, Stamford, CT 06904, as well as to the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, 777 Summer Street #400, Stamford, CT 06901 (Dvccct.org/donate.html).
