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Susan Grace Kaestner
Susan, who lived in Cranston, Rhode Island, passed away on Monday, July 25th, 2022 at the Philp Hulitar Inpatient Center. Born in Bronxville, NY, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Jean (Benedict) Kaestner.
Susan studied liberal arts at Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT. She began her career in NY as a medical secretary for physicians' practices then moved into adminstration at IBM for many years until she followed her family to Rhode Island. Once in RI, Sue worked for a private company then turned her administrative skills to the medical field at Roger Williams Hospital until her retirement in 2018.
She is survived by her partner of 40 years, Art Pascuzzi, Art's brother Joel, sister Paula and nephew Joel, Sue's sister, Barbara Curry and husband Piers, sister Judy Gootkind and partner Leonard Cuoco, nephew, Robert Kunz and wife Betsy, niece Allyn Jones, nieces Lean and Brooks Gootking/Juhring, niece Bryna and Lee Gootkind/Farrington, many loving cousins and great nieces and nephew all of whom she considered her children.
Sue's gardens are a testament to her love of beautiful flowers and plants. All through the years her talent for design and excellent taste kept her home beautifully appointed. These past few weeks, Sue was an inspiration to all with her courage and grace. Her namesake and her essence live on as our one and only Susan "Gracious" Kaestner.
Her funeral services will be held on August 13,2022 at 11 AM at the Westchester Funeral Home , 190 Main Street , Eastchester, NY 10709. ( A live stream link to the service is available in the online edition of her obituary which you will find at WestchesterFuneralHome.com) In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory to the Philip Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.
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Anne Benham
Sue was one of the kindest, sweetest people I've ever known. I'm so sorry to hear about her passing.
Mitzi Porter (Bolin)
Sue and I were friends from elementary school through the early high school years. One summer, we made plans to go to camp together (I don't know if our parents knew anything about this!), and made potholders to sell to earn money toward the fees. The camp experience never materialized, but we sure had fun weaving, laughing, and planning. I remember that we celebrated our 16th birthdays together with a party at her house. She was so much fun to be with, and I always thought her so beautiful.
I never can quite believe that Sue and so many other classmates are gone. I am saddened, and feel a sense of unreality. It sounds like she battled courageously. I am so sorry. Rest in Peace, Sue..
Mitzi
Mary Ann Cotter (Berlin)
I had the pleasure of getting to know Sue years after our high school graduation.
She was the lady with the sunny disposition, easy smile and gentle manner.
I am so grateful that we had time to catch up and reminisce at the 50th reunion.
Such a loss. My sympathy to family and friends.
Barb Plumb (Balcom)
I moved to Pleasantville in 1960 just before starting 9th grade at Pleasantville High School. I knew no one. Sue was one of my first friends. We became close and I remember many fun sleepovers at her house. I think it was our sophmore year that she invited me to go with her by train to Fort Lauderdale, FL for a week. My parents were reluctant to let me go until they learned that we would be staying with Sue's aunt or grandmother, I don't recall which now. We had so much fun and didn't get into trouble. Sue was sweet, kind and the best kind of friend. After college I moved to Minnesota and we lost track of each other except for class reunions. I was sad to hear of her passing.
Janet Lohman
My fondest memories are of us tobogganing down the hill on her yard,flying over the driveway, and turning into the tunnel of berry bushes. Few others could manage it tandem. Whenever I look at my toboggan on the wall, I remember those times. A lovely person and soul who will be missed.Kathlyn Hannigan (Deak)
Beautiful and gracious Sue, rest in peace.
Bob (Robie) Roemer
Sue Kaestner was a beautiful, kind and cheerful person. She was a gift to our class. I can still picture her cheering for P.H.S. football on a beautiful autumn day or basketball on a cold winter night and I was so grateful that she came to our 50th reunion and had such a wonderful time. This is a terrible loss.
Geoffery Yorke
Although I confess I did not know Sue well when we were in HS, I definitely share Mitzi's sense of loss and dismay that yet another of our classmates is gone. As we all age along, sadly we must acknowledge that these final partings will continue at an accelerating pace and our numbers can only continue to shrink. It becomes more important than ever for us to keep lines of communication open to one another to help ensure that a sudden loss will not leave those of us who remain regretting the call not made or the text not sent. May Sue Rest In Peace.
Josh Moran
Susan and I were in many PHS classes together and she was very cute and well liked. My favorite story with Susan was Pam Maine and I were going together but Jeff Kelly asked Pam to the Junior Prom and Pam accepted. So since I just naturally assumed Pam was going with me to the Junior Prom but when she told me she was going with Jeff, I was caught a bit off guard. But my Mom told me to just ask someone else to go. So I thought about who to ask and thought of Susan so I called to ask her to go and she wanted to know, naturally, why I wasn't going with Pam. I told her Jeff was taking her. As I remember, Susan and I had a nice time but Susan was a bit put off with all of our classmates asking me why I wasn't with Pam. Just one of those awkward high school memories we all experienced one time or another. But Susan was a joy to be with and thankful she accepted to accompany me me to the Prom. She will be sorely missed. Josh Moran
Leslie Cauley (Wood)
Susan and I stayed in contact over many years. Whenever my sister Meghan and I visited our older sister Lee in MA, we always made a side trip to Cranston, RI to visit the Kaestner girls. Unfortunately, these trips ended with the pandemic. Although it was sad to see how much weight she had lost, her wonderful laugh was still there. I miss her.