Susie Bollen

PENN YAN– Susie Bollen passed away unexpectedly Friday May 3, 2024. She was born February 8, 1942 to Annis Jensen and Arlene Orr Jensen in the town of Penn Yan where she spent her entire life. She graduated from Penn Yan Academy in 1960 before attending Keuka College. She married her childhood sweetheart Charlie Bollen in June of 1963.

Susie and Charlie purchased their dream home on Keuka Lake. It was here where they raised their two children, Lisa and Jeff, and where Susie spent many days cultivating amazing gardens. She delighted in teaching family and friends to swim during the warm summer days.

She worked a wide variety of jobs including the meat departments in Superduper, Tops (Geneva) and P&C. She also helped trim and tie grapes at local vineyards for many years.

In retirement Susie and Charlie made the difficult decision to sell their beloved lake house and move to town to be closer to family, where she continued to work and create thriving gardens. Her gardens produced beautiful flowering plants, large red raspberries and Niagara grapes. She loved to share her raspberries and grapes with any person walking by or her neighbors who quickly became close friends. She knew every person or dog that walked by and would frequently come out to chat or simply meet new dogs and their owners. Susie and Charlie enjoyed traveling and spending time with their many rescue dogs.

Susie is survived by her two children Lisa (Ken) Dinehart and Jeff (Viki) Bollen; two grandchildren Emily (Michael) Strait and Ben Dinehart; and her very special great granddaughter Madilyn Grace Strait. She is also survived by her two brothers Ken (Pat) Jensen and Larry Jensen; her sister-in-law Diane (Joe Brady) Bollen; as well as many other family members. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years.

In honor of her wishes there will be no calling hours or funeral services. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Yates County Humane Society, P.O. Box 12 Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527. On the memo line please write: in memory of Susie Bollen.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, Penn Yan, N.Y. To leave the family a message of condolence, or to light a "Candle of Remembrance", please visit www.townsendwoodzinger.com