Susan M. Gillespie

Susan Marie Gillespie, age 88, a long-time resident of Delmar, New York and Hudson, Florida, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady, New York.

Born on February 28, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, Susan was the daughter of Joseph and Susan Perez. After graduating high school, Susan received her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and began teaching in the Bethlehem Central School District. After raising her children, Susan returned to work for the Governor's Office of Employee Relations, and subsequently retired from the State of New York. 

Susan enjoyed playing golf and tennis. She was a member of Tall Timbers Country Club, Van Schaick Island Country Club and Beacon Woods Country Club. Susan also enjoyed watching her sons participate in baseball and basketball during their youth, as well as in high school and college.

Among her many talents, Susan was an extremely gifted artist, creating beauty to anything her hands touched. Her creative beauty could extend landscapes and expand horizons in her ability to express the beauty in the simple things in life. Whether it be her painting, quilting, knitting, sewing, drawing, or embroidery, her family and friends were provided with an artist's retreat of a lifetime. In addition, she also loved to sing and enjoyed listening to music.

Susan was a long-time communicant at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, New York where she served as an eucharistic minister, a member of the Rosary Society, and in the coordination of their annual card party and fashion show. Susan was also a communicant at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Bayonet Point, Florida. 

Susan was predeceased by her husband Joseph, whom she married on January 31, 1959 at St. Anne's Church in Garden City, New York. She was also predeceased by her parents, and her son Douglas. She is survived by her sons Steven, Peter, and David (Erika), her grandchildren Patrick, Matthew, and Daniel and a cousin, Steven Ferraro.

Funeral services will be on Thursday, July 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar, New York 12054. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 481 US-9W, Glenmont, New York 12077.

Donations in Susan's memory can be made to the St. Thomas the Apostle School, 42 Adams Place, Delmar, New York 12054.