Susan K. Dusseau

Susan Kathleen Bates Dusseau, 70, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025 in Ithaca, NY, surrounded by her beloved six children in her final days. Susie was born to Jeanne Thompson and James Bates on March 2, 1955 in Auburn, NY. A graduate of Southern Cayuga High School, she then went on to get an Associate's Degree from Cayuga Community College. Susie lived the majority of her life in the Finger Lakes region. She was an avid horseback rider, a brown belt in judo, a photographer, and a traveller. She loved nothing more than the feeling of the wind in her hair. On a road trip to California with her sister and partner in crime Sally, Susie met and fell in love with Stephen Dusseau. The couple moved to Washington where they married and welcomed their first child. In 1982, they headed back East to build a home and grow their family in Locke, NY. They would have six children on their hilltop haven filled with swimming, ice skating, fort-building, and explorations through the woods and fields, creating memories filled with laughter and love. Susie's vibrant spirit shone at her children's sporting events, her cheers and signature whistle ringing out. She never missed the parents' field hockey game, where her competitive spark and skill at outplaying the dads delighted everyone. Family vacations across the Northeast brimmed with camping, hiking, and ocean swims under starry skies. Susie's gardens were her sanctuary, where she cultivated vegetable and flower blooms while jamming to songs by Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, and John Mellencamp. A gifted artist, she poured her heart into paintings, crafts, beads, and quilts. Her warm, generous spirit drew people in, and she loved sharing her art and connecting through friendly conversations. Her radiant spirit inspired those around her to embrace beauty and generosity. She leaves behind a legacy in her family, friends, and all who were touched by her warmth. Susan is survived by her six children, Shawnessy, Ambreleah (David), Alysia (Mattia), Zachary (Leigh), Levi, Emily (Zachary), her granddaughter Madeleine, her mom Jeanne, her siblings Sally (Brooks), Stephen (Barbara), Craig (Lisa), Tracey, Kelly (William), Kimberly (Billy) and J, many nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends. Susan was preceded in death by her father James. We'll be honoring Susan with a celebration of life September 14, 2025 at Myers Park in Lansing from 2-5pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to Healing H'Arts Equestrian Center in her honor. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Susan, please visit our Tree Store.