Suzanne Nolan

1951 - 2023

Suzanne Nolan of Windsor died peacefully on February 21 after a brief illness. She was born on January, 25, 1951 in Hartford to the late Dr. John O'Leary and Elizabeth Blanchard Nolan, longtime residents of West Hartford.

Suzanne was a graduate of The Chaffee School and Brown University where she played varsity ice hockey and made history in 1973: she was a senior orator at the University Commencement, the first time both orators were women. In 1982, she earned a Master's Degree in Counseling from The University of St. Joseph in West Hartford.

For almost a decade, Suzanne taught English and coached female athletes at Connecticut secondary schools. Her career aspirations evolved in these years, leading her to nonprofit work at Covenant House in New York and H.O.M.E. in Maine. Later, she explored Hospital Ministry, an expanding discipline that combined her faith, natural gifts for connecting with people and her commitment to offering compassionate care and counsel to patients and families, often in the most difficult moments of their lives.

From 1990 to 1996, Suzanne worked as a Pastoral Associate on Saint Bridget's Church Collaborative Pastoral Team in Manchester. She then served as a Chaplain at Manchester Memorial Hospital and Mercy Hospital in Springfield. In 2007, she was named Director of Pastoral Care at Saint Francis Hospital. An inspired leader, Suzanne was instrumental in developing and implementing a Certified Pastoral Education program and a one-year Resident program for Chaplains.

After retirement, Suzanne continued her longtime participation as a Mercy Associate, men and women who make a covenant of service with the Sisters of Mercy to live Mercy in their lives. She expanded her active engagement with St. Patrick – St. Anthony Church in Hartford, which she cherished for its unwavering commitment to building and supporting the diverse Parish community. She also found more time to devote to her many interests, including golf, sailing and gardening.

Suzanne is survived by her beloved husband Christopher Wagner with whom she shared a loving marriage and many adventures, particularly sailing the Cape Cod waters off Provincetown and Buzzards Bay; her brothers, John of West Hartford and David (Carol) of Mashpee, MA. She is also survived by a large and loving family, including sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Friends are invited to calling hours at The Ahern Funeral Home, 180 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, on Friday, February 24, 4:00-6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Patrick – St. Anthony Church, 285 Church Street, Hartford, on Saturday, February 25, at 11 a.m. The Service will be Live Streamed at spsact.org.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Suzanne's memory may be made to The Transplant Patient Care Unit, Office of Development, Yale New Haven Hospital, PO Box 1849, 20 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510.