In Memoriam
Susan R. Hughson, 87
May 16, 1935 – November 22, 2022
PRINCETON, NJ – Susan Rosenheim Hughson, 87, died peacefully on November 22, 2022. A lifelong resident of Oneonta, New York, Susan had moved to Princeton earlier in the year to be near family.
Susan was born in Oneonta on May 16, 1935. The daughter of Frederic Rosenheim and Pauline (Polly) Borden Rosenheim, she attended Bugbee School and Oneonta High School. In 1957, Susan graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in chemistry. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas M. Hughson, and they had two sons, Fred and Bill. After her divorce in 1988, Susan joined in a joyful partnership with Paul E. Scheele that lasted the rest of their lives.
Susan’s great passions in life were to forge meaningful connections with others and to contribute to the well-being of her community. She pursued these passions in all aspects of her life.
On a professional level, Susan taught chemistry lab courses to generations of students at the State University College at Oneonta.
On a civic level, the list of Susan’s volunteer contributions is long and distinguished: Trustee of Hartwick College; President of the League of Women Voters of Oneonta and Vice President of the League of Women Voters of New York State; President of the Oneonta Concert Association; President of the Future for Oneonta Foundation; President of the Oneonta Clothing Guild; Member of the Board of the Family Service Association; Member of the Board of A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital. Susan also held leadership roles at Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, the Jaycees, Oneonta’s 1976 Bicentennial Commission, and the Oneonta Intergovernmental Taskforce.
In recognition of her commitment to the community, Hartwick College Citizens Board named Susan as its Outstanding Citizen of the Year in 2010.
On a personal level, Susan loved to meet new people, to bring people together, and to inspire people to be the best they could possibly be. She was an avid tennis player, an intrepid traveler, a loyal friend, and a favorite grandparent.
Susan was loved by many and will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know her. She is survived by her sons Fred and Bill Hughson, their wives Liz Gavis and Monica Lee Hughson, four grandchildren Sam, Sky, Sophia, and Tessa, and extended family members Carla, Christie, and Karin Scheele.
Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Oneonta at 4pm on Sunday, December 4.
Donations in Susan’s name may be made to the Future for Oneonta Foundation (https://fofoneonta.com/).
I admired Susan so much. She always had a ready smile when we met and her friendly and cheerful outlook was evident all the years I knew her. We met through the Oneonta Concert Association. Her work for OCA for decades made a tremendous difference in its success as a community group. Yet it was only one of her many contributions to Oneonta. I am very sad for her passing but so grateful for her valuable life.
I admired Susan so much. She always had a ready smile when we met and her friendly and cheerful outlook was evident all the years I knew her. We met through the Oneonta Concert Association. Her work for OCA for decades made a tremendous difference in its success as a community group. Yet it was only one of her many contributions to Oneonta. I am very sad for her passing but so grateful for her valuable life.
I feel very fortunate to have known you and your family through the years. You had such a loving spirit. May God lift up your family and friends at this time.
I feel very fortunate to have known you and your family through the years. You had such a loving spirit. May God lift up your family and friends at this time.
Fred and Bill, I am sorry for your loss. Your Mom, along with a small group of her and your Dad’s friends, were a big part of my growing up, especially after we moved to Ravine Park North. She always had a bright smile whenever we met, and she always showed a genuine interest in my life. It should go without saying that she was extremely proud of both of you.
May the Lord wrap you in His loving arms during this time of sadness.
Steve T. from Ravine Park North
Fred and Bill, I am sorry for your loss. Your Mom, along with a small group of her and your Dad’s friends, were a big part of my growing up, especially after we moved to Ravine Park North. She always had a bright smile whenever we met, and she always showed a genuine interest in my life. It should go without saying that she was extremely proud of both of you.
May the Lord wrap you in His loving arms during this time of sadness.
Steve T. from Ravine Park North