Faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love. A love for family, a love for faith, a love for children and teaching; and a love for sharing the gifts and talents that God shared with her. Hope carried her through a lifetime of joy and happiness, and faith for peace from the difficulties of illness.
And that peace came to Susan C. Smith, long-term resident of Schoharie and most recently of Ballston Lake, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. Susan was born on March 21, 1947, in Dover, New Hampshire, to Leone (Klady) and William Colbath and was also raised by her stepmother Eva (Wildes) Colbath.
Sue began her teaching career at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School. She took a 14-year hiatus from teaching to focus on her two daughters. She subsequently earned her master’s degree and taught at Middleburgh Elementary School, nurturing countless students through the first grade. You knew where Mrs. Smith was in the building, and as big as her voice, was equally how big her heart was. Every one of her students received handmade knitted mittens each Christmas as a loving token. She was also a talented sewer and quilter, making heirloom quilts and gifts for family and friends. And anyone who’s savored a piece of her homemade pie and cinnamon bread knows her love and talent extended to the kitchen as well.
Her faith in Jesus Christ carried her through her life and she shared that love and devotion at the Schoharie Reformed Church, on many committees for the Regional Synod of Albany, and with the Reformed Church Woman. Sue is remembered for the Christian bookstore, the Good News Room, that she ran in the front of their house for almost 10 years; and her help in forming the Schoharie Valley Community Camp. She was also an active member of the NYS Reading Association, the MCS Teacher’s Association, the Schoharie Valley Piecemakers Quilt Guild and the Peaceable Day Quilters.
The greatest love Sue shared; however, was with her family. Loving her forever are her husband, Vincent R. Smith, whom she married on June 28, 1969; her daughters: Jennifer (AJ) Pandolfo of Pawling and Stephanie (Aaron) Smith of Ballston Lake; her grandchildren, Nathan, Joshua, Caleb and Grace Pandolfo and Hannah, Olivia, Moriah and Amelia Smith; her sister and brother, Jane Colbath and Bill Colbath both of Dover, New Hampshire, along with many nieces nephews and many dear friends. Sue was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Loisann, Kay, Edie and Carl.
All are invited to visit with Sue’s family on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Schoharie Reformed Church, 258 Main Street, Schoharie. A celebration of Sue’s life will follow at 11 a.m.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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