Susan M. Vegiard

Susan Marie Vegiard, 71, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by laughter and love. She wore many hats in her lifetime: dedicated daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, godmother, teacher, caregiver and friend. She moved as gracefully between those roles as she hummed and swayed to the “da-da-da” of the “Waltz on the Blue Danube” with a treasured niece or nephew in her arms.

Susan had a passion for teaching and was a lifelong educator and learner. She was a master of brain teasers, riddles, practical jokes and tricks. It was not unusual to see her with a fake condiment bottle she was about to pretend to spill on you. It only took a handful of times to realize that if you saw her with a camera, you should take cover, because the likelihood was you were about to get squirted with water just as you put on your best smile for her to take your photo. Thanks to two of her more useful puzzles, many of us know what to do if we ever escape from prison while shackled to another prisoner and then challenged with naming 10 three-letter body parts. If laughter reverberated from a room, chances were, Aunt Sue was in there.

She had the gift of patience, kindness, a gentle and generous spirit and the ability to make people feel as though they’d known her for years after just meeting her. She cherished her annual “Sistertime” celebration with her sisters Linda, Nancy and Teresa, time spent with her sister-in-law Raff, and her endless games of “got you last” with her brother Paul. She treasured her relationships with her nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. She spent much of her time later in life with Aiden, Anya and Dax: “they kept me alive and they kept me happy.” She spent a lifetime making priceless, irreplaceable friendships with so many special people. She was a fierce advocate and protector. Her last, maybe most important, decision in life was truly a gift to herself. 

We will miss her dearly. It’s not often you meet such a selfless, thoughtful, precious, creative, sometimes silly but always loving person. She was truly an extraordinary human being, and we feel blessed to have shared a space with her for as long as we did.

Susan did not wish to have any services, rather asked that you remember “the good times” you shared with her.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Susan Vegiard Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund. Checks should be made out to: Amherst Elementary Schools. Please include a notation in the memo line that says “Susan Vegiard Memorial Camp Scholarship Fund.” Checks can be mailed to:  Amherst Elementary Schools attn Jill Berry, Treasurer 170 Chestnut St. Amherst, MA.

Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services is entrusted with arrangements. To offer online condolences, please visit www.nowakfuneral.com.

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