MEREDITH ---- Susan H. O’Callaghan, 73, passed away on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at home with her husband Rick and niece Colleen by her side along with two members of Lakes Region VNA Hospice. First diagnosed with cancer in 2013, Susan valiantly fought the disease and other significant health challenges with strength, positivity and humor.
Born in Laconia, NH on September 11, 1950, to Alberta (Smith) Heath and John N. Heath, Susan grew up on Silver Lake in Belmont with her sister, Brenda, in a home built by their parents. A tomboy in her early years, Susan spent time with her father fishing on the lake and hunting in woods nearby. She attended Belmont High School where she was a cheerleader and graduated in the Class of 1968. Susan then earned an associate’s degree from Husson College (Maine) in 1970.
Susan embraced her home in Meredith as her castle. In June 1987, Susan married her other half, Rick O’Callaghan in their back yard. It was there Sue and Rick found great joy in each other’s company, growing vegetables in large gardens and carrying on family canning recipes at the end of each season.
Sue and Rick were among the best suited for the long months of Covid. Enjoying one another’s company, cooking and spending time with their animals in the place they loved most. Staying home was not a challenge but a gift.
Susan was a fabulous cook making any occasion from a holiday to Super Bowl Sunday a reason to prepare a recipe handed down through the family or to try something new. Carrying on her mother’s talent for crafts, Susan also crocheted and became talented at creating hooked rugs.
Describing herself as a “water baby” Susan enjoyed time on Lake Winnipesauke on their sailboat and as members of the Bayshore Yacht Club. Vacations were spent in York, Maine with early morning and sunset walks on the beach with Rick and their canine companion, Mortie.
An animal lover by nature, Susan adopted several cats over the years, typically naming them after characters played by Cary Grant.
Susan’s professional career spanned 44 years at Plymouth State University (PSU) from 1970-2014 beginning as an administrative assistant in the Office of Admissions and progressing to become the IT Specialist for the office. She was an early adopter of technology and is credited with PSU Admissions going paperless before other institutions.
In addition to her husband, Susan is survived by her sister Brenda J. Phelan, sister by choice Karin Karagozian, brother-in-law Ronald O’Callaghan, sisters-in law Nancy O’Callaghan and Lyn O’Callaghan, nieces Colleen Bolton, Robin O’Callaghan Lamprey, Cara O’Callaghan, nephew Sean O’Callaghan and three great nephews.
A celebration and remembrance will be scheduled at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to: Lakes Region VNA Hospice, 186 Waukewan St., Meredith, NH 03253.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.