Susanna "Suzie" Chapman passed away on August 5th, 2026, after a courageous battle with an extended illness.

She was born in Liberty, New York, on June 27, 1953, to Josef and Theresia Tresler and grew up on the family farm in White Sulphur Springs.

Suzie was a free spirit who created her own path and lived unapologetically as herself. She was generous, kind, intelligent, and loved to tell stories-and she had some good ones to share.

Suzie was the fun Grandma. She was the person you called when you needed to feel heard, understood, and validated. She loved to sing and knew the words to countless songs. She also loved to cook, enjoyed a wide variety of arts and crafts, and had a special gift with animals.

If Suzie learned that someone needed help, she was the first in line. After the September 11, 2001, attacks, she traveled on the first bus with the Red Cross to offer assistance. After the dust settled, she continued helping those affected through Project Liberty. She also worked with adults with intellectual disabilities, cared deeply for the people she supported, and coached a team for the Special Olympics.

Later in her career, Suzie worked as a school bus driver. Her favorite part was singing with the kids and simply making their day brighter, especially on Dance Party Fridays.

Suzie rescued many animals throughout her life, including Bill the bird, numerous cats, and many dogs. Her own dogs were deeply devoted to her. It is safe to say that anything Suzie did, she did with her whole heart.

Suzie was the communicator in her family-the person who kept everyone connected and who carried the family's memories of growing up on the farm. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Suzie is survived by her sister, Rosemarie Rice; her three daughters, Melanie Morton (Chapman), Lianne Gardner (Mike), and Samantha Virgil (Jeff Lambert); her six grandchildren, Joseph, Xavier, and Quenton Morton, Jake and Kathryn Gardner, and Scarlett Lambert; as well as her nieces and nephews, Jacob Rice, Renata Rice (Bernardo Balderrama), Athena and Hunter Rice, Julian and Lia Balderrama, Tor (Lisbeth), Sylvia, Matthew, Kyre, and Daniel Chamberlain.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Erika Chamberlain; her son-in-law, Joseph Morton Jr.; and one of her best friends, Lori Nygard, whom she has waited decades to catch up with.

In addition to her family, whom she loved dearly, she also leaves behind a plethora of amazing and loving friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to one of her best friends, Pat Lamb, for giving Suzie the love, compassion, and care she deserved to the very end.

A memorial will take place on August 15th, 2026, at the Woodbourne Firehouse. The family will begin receiving guests at 2:00 p.m., and the ceremony will commence at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lone Star Dog Ranch and Rescue at http://www.dogranchrescue.com

in memory of Suzie Chapman. Suzie was a devoted supporter of Lone Star Dog Ranch and Rescue, and it brought her immense joy.

Suzie lived life on her own terms, loved fiercely, helped without hesitation, and gave everything she did her whole heart. She will be remembered for the stories she told, the people she helped, the animals she rescued, the songs she sang, and the countless lives she made a little brighter.