Suzanne Harrington

1941 - 2025

Suzanne P Harrington (née Suzanne Harriett Piersma)

March 6, 1941 - August 26, 2025

On August 26 2025 Suzanne P Harrington (née Suzanne Harriett Piersma), beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, having fought a courageous battle against lymphoma, passed away at the age of 84.

Suzanne is survived by her five children, six grandchildren, one sister, and three nieces - son Michael Spohn (and Lamia Fehada) of San Francisco, California; son John Spohn of Charlotte, North Carolina; daughter Cydney Spohn (and Andy Zins) of Charlotte, Vermont; son Stephen Spohn (and Emiko Nishimura) of Tokyo, Japan; daughter Heather Potrzeba (and Ed Potrzeba Jr) of Earlville, New York; six grandchildren Rebecca Spohn; Catherine Spohn; Eddie Potrzeba III; Charlie Potrzeba; Sarah Spohn; Enzo Spohn; sister Marolyn Wilson of Whitesboro, New York; niece Tricia Conboy of Framingham, Massachusetts; niece Emily Hilson of West Sussex, United Kingdom; and niece Maryann Murray of Tully, New York. She was predeceased by her sister Patricia Piersma.

Suzanne was born on March 6, 1941 in Utica, New York to father John Piersma and mother L Evelyn Piersma (née L Evelyn Deuel) of Oriskany, New York. She resided on Cider Street, Oriskany, New York her entire life. As a young teenager she spent summers at the regional Girl Scout camp, advancing to life guard and swim instructor. In her late teens she twirled baton, danced ballet and tapped on toe, marched as a majorette in Oriskany's parades, and auditioned for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall (who encouraged her to return after more training.)

She graduated from Oriskany Central High School in 1959, from Utica College in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics Education (she taught mathematics at Frankfort High School for a brief period), and from Chapman College in 1988 with a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology.

Suzanne was married three times: to Michael James Spohn with whom she had five children, to John Fiore (widowed), and to Gene Harrington.

Suzanne raised five children, got dinner on the table every night, shuttled her children to dance classes and horseback riding lessons, and hosted Boy Scouts as a Den Mother. A lifelong lover of dance, she competed in a Mohawk Valley version of Dancing with the Stars. A lifelong lover of horses, she competed in the 3'6" hunter division. Her children and extended family gravitated to her on holidays. She roasted at least fifty Thanksgiving turkeys and decorated sixty Christmas trees. She went on escapades across the republic and the world over to visit her children wherever they were.

From 1980 to 2020 Suzanne co-managed and co-owned Holland Farms Bakery & Deli in Yorkville, New York with her sister Marolyn Wilson. Later, she cherished spending more and more time in the serenity of the family camp on Fourth Lake in Eagle Bay, New York.

In her final years, Suzanne spent eight joyful years cruising the world with Allen Miles of Hertford, North Carolina. When not at sea, she and Allen visited each other in Oriskany or in Hertford. When not together, they called each other at 8:00pm every night. She built a loving circle of friends in Hertford with whom she participated in golf, restaurant outings, yoga, and other social activities.

Suzanne's class and radiant smile shine through in the many photos, images, and memories that she leaves behind. She departs with a legacy of love, kindness, resilience, strength, and dignity that her family and friends will hold close forever.

The immediate family invites friends and family to calling hours:

2:00pm - 5:00pm, Sunday, August 31 2025, at Dimbleby Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Whitesboro, NY 13492.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Oriskany Public Library or the Oriskany Museum:

Oriskany Museum, 420 Utica Street/PO Box 284,Oriskany, New York 13424

Oriskany Public Library, 621 Utica Street / P.O. Box 428, Oriskany, NY 13424-4619

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy may be left at www.dimblebyfh.com.