Honeoye/Rochester: Passed away peacefully on December 22, 2018, at age 74, after surviving six joyful and productive years with cancer. Predeceased by her husband Dean McManus, and her parents Lawrence and Helen Kavanaugh. Survived by her loving children Brian, Chad and Josh McManus; her beloved grandchildren Roan, Ella and Tristan McManus; her devoted brother and sister, Dan Kavanaugh and Marcia (Robert) Schmidt; her dear aunts Joan Swarthout and Marie Kavanaugh, and uncle Woody Shemwell; many cousins who looked up to her as the eldest among them; and numerous great friends and co-workers in Honeoye and Rochester.
Sue was dedicated to her children and grandchildren, and to the entire clan she was so happy to be part of. She was known to be strong, independent, honest, outspoken, and was a joy to everyone who got to know her.
She was a proud graduate of Rochester’s Nazareth Academy. In later life, Sue was a popular server at Equal Grounds Coffee House in Rochester, after which she enjoyed nearly a decade as a school bus driver for the Pittsford Central School District and the Honeoye Central School District. Sue loved the Honeoye community, and counted her last five years there as among the best of her life.
There will be a memorial ceremony this Saturday, December 29th at 2:00 PM at the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., 8624 Main Street, Honeoye, NY. Afterwards, family and friends are invited to share memories and celebrate Sue’s life at the Noble Shepherd Brewery, 7853 State Route 20A, Bloomfield, NY, followed by camaraderie and karaoke in her honor at The Boat House, 5226 E Lake Rd, Honeoye, NY. Memorial contributions may be made in Susan’s name to Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Susan was my favorite cousin and an important “partner in crime” as we grew up together staying with each other during the summers. During the rest of the year, our letter writing became the best study tool for the Latin students that we were in our respective high schools. So that our missives stayed private from well-meaning parents, we revived a “dead” language and became expert at it. I’m so sorry that I was unable to attend the service. My condolences go out to Marcia and Danny as well as her children and grandchildren.
RIP Sue. Your smile and sweet soul were always a high light when I visited Honeoye.
It was an honor knowing you. Xo
I was lucky enough to meet and get to know Susan from her barista days at Equal=Grounds Coffee Shop. I remember laughing hysterically at her comic observations on life. We didn’t always agree when it came to political discourse but we retained a mutual high regard and personal affection. Susan was a lovely, lovely, firecracker of a lady! May she rest in peace and laughter, and those who morn be comforted by happy memories of Susan <3
I will miss her wit, her laughter & the joy she had for life. A courageous, humble lady. Rest in peace???
Sue and I grew up in the same neighborhood. We walked to St Charles Borromeo school on the same path but never met (just someone I noticed). Then we went to Nazareth Academy (but in different graduating class). Next We were both in Our Lady of Mercy parish ( but never met). It wasn’t until a mutual friend brought us together and found out how much we were alike. From then on she and I had many memories together. We went camping in Florida, numerous parties and I enjoyed her family’s acceptance in their home on a few occasions. After a long time not seeing her, we met again in this past June. What a joy it was to see her again. I only wish it wasn’t the last time to have seen her. In reading others’ comments, did I discover she like karaoke. So do I. Something we never got to enjoy together. We were more alike than not. I will miss her smile, her joking around and … just her. So sorry I cannot attend her memorial and express my sympathy to the family in person. Dan, Marshia, Bryan, Chad, and Josh, you will be in my prayers. Love, Nancy Wilson
Sue was such a sweet lady to everyone she came in contact with. I don’t ever remember a time that her lovely smile was not on that beautiful face. She will be missed by many and we are all blessed to have had her touch our lives. Our condolences to the her family for she was truly a special lady.
Great lady with a huge heart. Loved her job as a school bus driver in Pittsford
Sue was a great Friend to all… I enjoyed our time at Pittsford Central School. Playing Euchre with her, Wurzer and Johnny Jessup. I will miss you Sue, enjoy your rest. God has you now and you I am sure are in the truest of Heaven..
Susan( Susie Lou) I called her, was a great friend and co-worker. She loved singing Karaoke. Her favorite was A Boy Named Sue!
We had a lot of good times together, I will never forget her. She’s one of a kind! I will miss her.,,,,,,,
Susan was such a kind, sweet lady. I only met her 3 short years ago, but she was so easy to know that it feels much longer. I’ll always remember our conversations, usually over a pint of Bristol’s finest. I will miss her happy smile.
I feel so blessed to have known Susan. She was a wonderful friend to me and my family. I don’t think my words could really convey her spirit. She never had a mean word to say about anyone, she was such a major fan of her siblings, her grandchildren, her friends and the community of Honeoye. She had such a zest for life and such an open-minded way about her. I will miss her terribly but I am glad she will be free from pain and sufferingmlm and I have faith she is in a better place now.