Susan was born in Springfield, MA on August 16, 1939, the daughter of the late Roger A. and Gertrude A. Kinsella Taylor. She is survived by her brother Roger K. Taylor of Northampton, MA and her five children, Joseph K. and Carol A. (Watson) Free, Nazareth, PA, Robert B. Watson and Elizabeth Anderson, Westhampton, MA, David M. and Donna M. (Lippert) Watson, Apex, NC, William A. Watson, Canton, NY and Melissa A. Watson, Scotia, NY. Susan was a grandmother of ten grandchildren; Caitlin, Meghan, Emily, Erin, Jonathan, Brian, Dillon, Jacob, Kyle and Griffin. Additionally she is survived by seven nieces and nephews.
She graduated from Technical High School in Springfield where she was the editor of the school newspaper, a cheerleader and active in their drama club. She went on to begin her bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst before completing her BA and MA in Education at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Always wanting to be an educator, Susan spent 28 years in the Wappingers Central School District (WCSD) as a 2nd Grade educator at Gayhead Elementary School in Hopewell Junction, NY.
A voracious reader, she carried that passion into her classroom stressing every child became the best readers they could be. Known as a tough but compassionate and fair educator, she always wanted “her kids” to give her their very best effort no matter what level that was. A life-long lover of the arts, Susan enjoyed attending Broadway musicals, operas and dramatic productions. She carried that love on to her children and grandchildren with a number of them going on to study music, musical instruments or drama while in school.
After retiring from WCSD in June 1998, Susan continued her dedication to the district by working with the Wappinger’s Congress of Teachers (WCT) Board where she served as Secretary and Treasurer. Through the WCT Susan assisted new retirees with navigating the retirement benefits they earned as well as advocating for their continuation in the collective bargaining process. She also continued her work for the children of the district as a member of the Committee on Special Education. Susan finished her work with the district in 2012 when she left the Hudson Valley to live with her son Bill in Canton, NY.
A memorial service in her honor will be held at a later date in the Fishkill-Hopewell Junction, New York area at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are with the Garner Funeral Home, Potsdam, NY. Condolences can be shared @www.garnerfh.com. Susan was a life-long lover of animals, so in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Hudson Valley SPCA, 940 Little Britain Road (Route 207), New Windsor, NY 12553.
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