Suzanne S. Rockwell

1928 - 2025

Rockwell, Suzanne S

April 8, 1928 - June 15, 2025

Suzanne Spaulding Rockwell passed away peacefully at Fox Run at Orchard Park on June 15, 2025. She was born on April 8, 1928 to Blanche Staniland Spaulding and Charles James Spaulding of Buffalo. She attended The Elmwood School, The Buffalo Seminary and later graduated from the University of Buffalo. Throughout her life she spent summers on Staniland Park Road at Windmill Point, Ridgeway, Ontario. Her stepfather, George M. Denny, was a colonel in the U.S. Calvary based near Gates Circle where she learned to ride; she often rode along the bridle paths on Buffalo's shaded parkways and competed at the Buffalo Saddle & Bridle Club. She also regularly traveled to Geneseo, NY for foxhunting.

She lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts prior to her first marriage, where she worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She eventually moved back to Buffalo to marry Robert A. Murray. They settled in Ridgeway, Ontario where they opened an antique shop, raised Labrador retrievers and owned an eponymous potato chip factory. Over the decades she was involved in many activities: she raised, showed and bred dogs, volunteered at Children's Hospital, sailed competitively, played tennis and golf, enjoyed downhill skiing and served as a docent at the Darwin Martin House. Her jobs were always interesting: she worked as a drug counselor for Erie County; she established the shop, Stone Mill Herbs, at The Floristry on Delaware Avenue; and later worked at the School of Architecture at the University of Buffalo. She played competitive croquet at the Garret Club and was a member of the Tampa ladies' sailing team, the Dinghy Dames.

She always had a spirit of optimism, and her curiosity led her in many directions. She adored her grandchildren and traveled often to cheer them on at their rowing regattas, musical and stage performances, green roof installations and lacrosse games.

She is survived by her children, Sara Call (Dennis) of Buffalo, Annie Murray of Black Rock, CT and Bob Murray of Miami. She was predeceased by her brother George Staniland Spaulding in 1944, her husband Robert A. Murray in 1983 and by her husband Dean M. Rockwell in 1998. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

The family will host a remembrance service at Fox Run on Monday, July 21st at 11 a.m.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, July 22nd at 2 p.m. at Christ Chapel, Trinity Episcopal Church, 371 Delaware Ave in Buffalo. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Buffalo Seminary.