Susan M. Dahm

Susan Margaret Dahm passed away on October 20, 2025 with her daughters at her side. Susan was a beloved mother, grandmother, wife and friend dedicated to her family and community.
Born on March 28, 1943, to Earl and Regina Dickey, Susan grew up in a loving family home in Altoona, Pennsylvania and spent carefree summers at her favorite place, Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania.
After graduating from Altoona Highschool Susan went on to study political science at Denison University in Ohio. She spent a summer abroad teaching English to the children of a family in Finland, the Savoleinens. Upon graduation she was accepted into the Peace Corps in Nepal but declined due to family health concerns. After college Susan moved to Washington D.C. where she worked for the Department of Justice. In her role there she traveled into southern U.S. states where she supported a team of lawyers who worked to ensure that African American voters were not blocked from entering the polling locations. This marked the beginning of a life-long advocacy for voting rights and social justice.
Susan earned a master's degree in teaching at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Upon graduation she returned to Pennsylvania where she taught middle school and coached girl's lacrosse in Philadelphia. In 1967 she met her husband of 56 years, Arnold Dahm. They wed in 1968 at the Presbyterian church in Eagles Mere, Pennsylvania followed by a reception at the Crestmont Inn. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio where Arnold began his career teaching physics at Case Western Reserve University.
Together, they raised their daughters, Amy Roehl of Dallas, Texas, and Kristi Dahm of Oak Park, Illinois. While raising her girls she expressed her value in education by substitute teaching, tutoring, selling World Book Encyclopedias and working as a reference librarian at the Cleveland Heights Public Library.
Susan demonstrated her intellectual curiosity and desire for civic engagement through her devotion to many organizations and causes. Susan was a life-long volunteer, a strong advocate for the Cleveland Heights public schools where she held many roles including PTA president. During elections, she consistently served at the local polls. Her love of the arts was conveyedthrough her service as a member of the Cleveland Museum of Art Women's Council, the Clytean Book Club, and the Village Garden Club of Cleveland.
Throughout her life, Susan's love for her family and her faith remained constant. The Church of the Covenant where Susan served as a deacon was both a church home for the family and a center for life-long friendships. It was at the church where Susan and Arnold developed the friend group that became known as "The Bookies". She was devoted to the Eagles Mere Presbyterian Church where she served as a Trustee. Susan was deeply committed to social justice and gun safety, working tirelessly for a better world.
Susan and Arnold travelled widely and lived abroad in England and Germany. Susan shared her love of art and history with her daughters through their travels.
In 2021 Susan and Arnie left their home of 50 years in Cleveland Heights and moved to Brookdale in Oak Park, Illinois. Susan enjoyed the company of the lovely and interesting friends she made there. Susan and Arnie joined Fair Oaks Presbyterian church and enthusiastically embraced being part of the congregation.
Susan was a devoted mother and a doting grandmother to her three granddaughters, who will forever cherish her kindness and warmth. Susan's legacy lives on in the hearts of her family, friends, and those she served. She will be deeply missed. Her spirit and the warmth of her memory will remain with us always.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. CST at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 744 Fair Oaks Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, to honor Susan's life and the impact she had on those fortunate enough to know her.
Donations in Susan's honor may be made to Chop Out Hunger serving families in the Eagles Mere area https://www.chopouthunger.org/donate-to-chop-out-hunger and the Eagles Mere Presbyterian Church.