Suzzette Marie Wolbert

Suzzette M. Wolbert, “Sue”, age 67 years, of Ravena, N.Y., passed unexpectedly on May 2, 2023, at St. Peters Hospital surrounded by her family. Sue was born in Albany, NY to Oliver and Jean Preville. Besides her parents, Sue is survived by her husband Richard “Hoche”, her children Nikki (Rodney Stacey) Brooke Westervelt, Jimmy (Cindy Campbell) Cathy, Ricky (Chastity), her in-law children Jason Westervelt, Antonia (Joe Proper), her grandchildren Lyric, Tyler, Conner, LJ, Marissa, Logan, Olivia, Tyler, Jakob, Victoria, Brianna, Mikayla, Gabrielle, Maverick, Akon, Audrie, and Garrett and great grandchildren Xavion, Mylo, Onyx and Everett, her siblings Tom (Kathy),Scott (Christine), Frank (Helene), Ollie (Yvonne), Todd (Andrea), Tammy (Marc) and Christopher, and many nieces and nephews. Sue also leaves behind her beloved pets Charlie and Blue, that she and her husband loved very much. Sue is predeceased by her brothers Arthur and Russell (Allison). Sue grew up in Round Lake, New York. Sue was a small but fierce woman. A bit of fire and ice, Sue would tell you exactly what you might not have wanted to hear, but you knew she meant it with love. She loved gathering with family and friends for barbecues, holidays and sometimes just to enjoy the company. She never hesitated to break out in a dance for you when the moment hit just right. With a nod of her head those who knew what that meant joined her for a moment and left with a laugh and good buzz. Every gathering began with a crack of the door to see her standing in her spot at the kitchen island by phone usually keeping a watchful eye her husband fondly known as “Hoche” to ensure whatever task he was doing, was getting done and counting his many breaks to have a cigarette and a beer. Then to the garage for a smoke when she always stood in the same corner of the picnic table laughing and enjoying every moment, often giving Rick a gaze. Sometimes the gaze said I love you and other times it was a warning. We may not have always known the difference, but he did! However, his eyes always met hers in return with a love all of us girls hoped to receive one day. In the same fashion she always reminded us of our time to leave with the announcement of “I’m getting my pajamas on”. With that we knew the night was ending and to gather our children and get out. Sue loved peace. Peace and quiet that is. She found great refuge and serenity at camp, it was there that she would immerse herself in the quiet, forget life’s burdens and simply relax, surrounded by nature and the Hudson River. She would spend a full week at camp to celebrate her birthday taking advantage of its beauty. She shared this love with her grandchildren often taking them alone or in pairs. Camp for her was a retreat, an escape. Sue and Rick enjoyed time in Gloucester, MA, and Lake George, NY- enjoying quality time, throwing back a few beers without having to hear about in her words “Northeastern Dental”. It wasn’t often that she and Rick got time to just enjoy each other so these small moments became special to her. Sue took advantage of the small things; she was a simple kind of girl who found her simple man. They together built a simple life. A full life, a life she was proud of. Sue loved her plants and flowers but of course she would. Because Sue was a nurturer, a caretaker by nature, she was a constant gardener, tending to each individual seed she planted. She passionately cultivated and maintained her garden. She was able to appreciate the unpredictability of the nature surrounding her and her garden. Providing the earth for which we grounded our roots- the nutrients that help us to become mature. She was the rock the kept us in place when the strongest winds came upon us- forever pruning each individual one of us encouraging growth. Over the years of her life her garden grew beyond what one person could tend to alone, but Sue was not just any gardener. She was strong and resilient. Plucking the weeds from her garden, she never tossed them away. Instead, Sue meticulously inspected each one knowing that even weeds can bear a beautiful flower. Sue instead gave those weeds a special place in her garden. Standing strong with pride she admired and thanked the Lord for His bounty. To know Sue was to love her. From her small frame she had a huge existence. Allowing you to know right away how she felt. Sue’s laugh was infectious, her comments always memorable. With her large heart she loved beyond measure. Sue boar many titles in her short lifetime, owning each with pride. As a daughter she grew to understand that in a return for a lifetime of care you must at times return the favor, caring for her parents in their time of need. As a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother she provided a love only known to those who received it to be unconditional. A love so strong no one person could bend it or break it. Accepting of all our flaws her love was never compromised. Instead, they were welcomed with open arms and unwavering support. Through her time here she instilled values and traditions that will be passed down through years. “If children are the rainbow of life, the grandchildren are the pot of gold”. Sue was the wealthiest woman of all. Sue shared her heart and home with everyone she met, but no one person owned her heart like her husband Richard. They together made a house home. They built a foundation strong enough to survive any storm. Accepting of all that each brought to the table- understanding that everything in life worth having does not come easy. Through struggle they grew stronger- through good times they closer. And through a lifetime they created a story like no other. Ephesians 5:32 says “a profound mystery” how two lives joined together to journey through life with purpose, mission, and blessings, you’re in this together. Rick and Sue were in fact in this together never letting the other walk alone, but instead holding each other up. In lieu of flowers, since Sue loved animals so much, please make a donation to your local animal shelter of your choice. The family will be holding a celebration of life at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the W.C. Brady’s Sons, Inc. Funeral Home, 97 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, N.Y., 12051. Condolences and memories may be made at www.wcbradyssonsinc.net.

Suzzette Marie Wolbert

July 15, 1955 - May 2, 2023