Susan Diane Leavy

Susan Diane Leavy Glen Spey, NY
It is with extremely heavy hearts that we announce the sudden, unexpected loss of our dear Susan Diane Leavy (née Ballanco) on Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Port Jervis, NY. She was 64, but forever 27 in her heart. She was the embodiment of the light of the universe and this world grew darker when her light was extinguished.
Born on June 7, 1960 in Westwood, NJ, Susan was the beloved daughter of Edward and Eileen Ballanco. Along with nine brothers and sisters, Susan grew up in Montvale, NJ and graduated from Pascack Valley High School.
Susan's greatest joy in life was becoming a mother and she relocated to Glen Spey, NY shortly thereafter where she created a beautiful life for the next 38 years. She and husband, Peter, built a successful furniture refinishing business, SSP Refinishing, that serviced the tri-state area for more than two decades. She let her pride in her family, especially her daughter, Sarah, and grandson, Rory, be well known. Her badges of "mom" and "grammy" were of utmost importance every day. She expressed her love in all possible ways with thoughtful gifts, kind and uplifting words, and actions that showed she cared. She was the mom that most of Sarah's friends called "mom" because she made everyone feel at home. Her family never questioned her devotion or love. Words can't articulate how much we miss her! She taught us everything in life that's worth knowing and has left an irreparable void in our hearts.
Susan was a unicorn in human form. She was unapologetically herself at all times and never fit into any mold. As a result, she genuinely loved everyone, especially babies and little ones. She radiated light, happiness, and positivity everywhere she went and had a unique gift of finding the good in every situation, no matter how bleak it may have seemed, and seeing the good in everyone, no matter their background. A true earth angel, her incredible aura was infectious and was felt by all simply by her being present. She was truly a people person and lived by her saying of "strangers are just friends you haven't met yet". True to form, she made new friends everywhere she traveled or happened to be and was generous with hugs for everyone to feel the warmth in her soul. Even short exchanges with her left lasting and impactful impressions. Her desire to help people knew no bounds. She was always incredibly generous, even when she could least afford it. The number of lives made better because of her touch is countless. Her simply being here made the world a better place. She injected magic into everything she did.
Susan loved living in nature and spent much time outdoors, admiring various wildlife, especially her beloved hummingbirds, and tending to her many flowers and plants. She also loved her pets and her home always included the company of her puppies and fish. Her strong roots didn't stop her wings from flying though and she jumped at every chance she got to travel to new destinations so she could see and experience life to the absolute fullest and meet new friends. She embraced the beauty of this world with an unmatched curiosity and passion, determined to soak it all in. She loved playing pool, woodworking, fast cars, cooking, baking, and most importantly, sharing those loves with others.
Greeting Susan's soul at Heaven's gates are her parents, Edward and Eileen Ballanco, sister, Jo-Ann Sommer, brother-in-law, Thomas Scarzello, and niece, Heidi Schroeder, along with several dear friends and cherished pets.
Left to cherish Susan's memory and carry her legacy in their hearts are loving daughter Sarah Dignardi (Jason) and grandson Rory Sparling, husband Peter, siblings Ed Ballanco (Eileen), Evelyn Schroeder, Julius Ballanco (Judie), Jeffrey Ballanco (Amy), Jerry Ballanco (Susan), Michael Ballanco (Laurie), Donna Caggiano (Nick), and Thomas Ballanco (Te'sa), brother-in-law Todd Sommer (Marlene), sister-in-law Barbara Scarzello (Rick), brother-in-law Thomas Leavy (Pennie), special friend Pete, beloved dog Boo, and 29 nieces and nephews and their spouses, many grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins, and countless friends from her many walks of life.
She will forever be loved beyond words.
The family will receive friends and loved ones at Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E Main St Port Jervis, NY on Monday, November 25, 2024 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burialwill be held Tuesday November 26, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua, 25 Beaver Brook Rd, Yulan, NY. Private cremation will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humane Society of Port Jervis/Deerpark - https://www.pjhumane.org/donate or the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center - https://poconowildlife.com/donatenow/ to honor Susan's legacy and love of animals.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc. For additional information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family please visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com.