Susan Habel

Susan Fake Habel passed away peacefully on November 24th 2025 at the age of 76. Her final days were spent surrounded by family at The Knolls in Valhalla where she had a tough battle with Parkinson's over the past few years.
Sue was born and raised in Michigan with her parents Marion and Roy Fake and her siblings Barb and Mac. She grew up romping in the local creek with a band of kids called the Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts. Aptly named for her love of silly poetry and nature. Her family moved to Birmensdorf, Switzerland when Sue was in grade school through early high school. During this time she learned German and traveled extensively. She returned to Michigan to finish high school and attend Kalamazoo College. During college she studied in Sierra Leone and volunteered with Planned Parenthood teaching women how to gain control of their reproductive future. Unfortunately, malaria cut her journey short.
After college in 1973 Sue married John Steward and moved to Chicago where she earned her Master's Degree and began her doctorate from the University Chicago. She then returned to Kalamazoo to teach in the Political Science Department while working on her doctorate. She was one of only 3 women in the department and she was described as confident and a bit intimidating. As a student she was known to be mouthy, exceptionally intelligent, and did not suffer fools gladly. Those who knew her well would say that description remained accurate throughout her life.
By 1980 she had moved to White Plains, gave birth to her daughter Maia and became the Executive Director of White Plains Housing Information Services. This is where Sue's career of service to the people of White Plains began. She advocated for homeowners, tenants, and landlords with the goal of neighborhood preservation and revitalization.
In August of 1983 she married Bill Habel and became step mom to Jennifer, Rebecca and Jeff. Maia was thrilled to get 3 new siblings and Sue loved her expanded family deeply. The family had many wonderful vacations to Bethany Beach in summer and ski trips in winter. One of her crowning achievements was creating a family costume set of all the Winnie the Pooh characters out of hanger wire and felt. Sue supported her kids through active involvement in their West Co. Productions theatre shows and heading Maia's girl scout troop for many years.
Her tenacity, ambition, intellect and compassion were noticed by the Community Development Office of the City of White Plains Planning Department where she was hired as the Deputy Commissioner of Planning from 1985-2001. In her 27 years with the City, Sue served as the first female Commissioner of Planning 2002-2011, Executive Director of the Urban Renewal Agency, and Administrator of the Community Development Program and Section 8 Federal Housing Program. Sue was instrumental in the preparation and writing of two, comprehensive plans, which charted the course for the development of White Plains that has occurred over the past 25 years. She implemented the Comprehensive Plans and the vision of Mayor Joseph Delfino, resulting in the development of the Westchester Mall, City Center, Ritz Carlton, Renaissance Plaza, White Plains Performing Arts Center, Jack Harrington Greenway, Liberty Park, and so much more. Her zoning expertise facilitated reimagination of the office parks along the Platinum Mile of Westchester Avenue and transformation of Winbrook public housing to a modern residential community. She developed regulations to protect the environment and created the Affordable Rental Housing Program to ensure that White Plains remains an inclusive community. Her work was local, but her influence was regional.
Sue was a hero in times of crisis. With professionalism and compassion, Sue assisted families find shelter after a fire at Grant Manor apartments (1998), and she mobilized a force to assist people displaced by Hurricane Katrina (2005). She also facilitated the construction of Franklin Windsor Senior Housing, assisted in the expansion of food distribution for families in need, and was always a friend to organizations that served the community.
Sue worked tirelessly for the people of White Plains, and she was respected and admired by those who were lucky enough to see her in action. Her accomplishments, while great and many, were less important to her than the relationships that were built through her work. She appreciated the creativity, enthusiasm, professionalism and friendship of the many developers, attorneys, engineers, architects, and community leaders that she worked with throughout her career, but she considered her City Hall colleagues family. She celebrated their successes and was supportive in times of sadness, whether professional or personal, and she always said, "family first."
With her own family Sue traveled the world from Alaska and Russia to Costa Rica and the headwaters of the Amazon. Sue was a dedicated and imaginative grandmother, who loved to spend time with her grandchildren. She spent many hours playing elaborate, imaginative games that kept them enthralled. She was very creative and would plan art projects and holiday crafts that the children loved. They were always excited to play with "Meme."
Sue is survived by her husband "Bill" William D Habel; her siblings Barb & Ron Shangle, Mac & Pam Fake and Jim & Judy Habel; her children Maia Steward, Jennifer Habel, Rebecca Habel, and Jeffrey Habel; and her grandchildren Alice, Claire, Madeline, Eilie and Callan; and the vibrant City of White Plains.
Her memorial service will be held at the White Plains Performing Arts Center on January 17th. Please RSVP at bit.ly/SusanHabel if you would like to attend. In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to a local White Plains organization: Centro Hispano Scholarship Program at https://elcentrohispano.org/scholarship-program/, or The National The Parkinson's Foundation at https://www.parkinson.org.