Susan I. (Mietz) Bollinger

West Sand Lake - Susan Mietz Bollinger, 73, died on June 16, 2023, at Westchester Medical Center with her loved ones by her side.  

She was the daughter of the late Otto and Mary (Schmidt) Mietz.  She grew up in Lockport, NY with her sisters Marilyn and Rebecca and a large extended family.  She inherited her no-nonsense, can-do attitude from her grandmothers Augusta and Minnie.  As a child she loved to read and she realized early on that she would make a good nurse.  

Susan was determined to earn her college degree and to become a nurse and she did just that.  She graduated from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 1972 with her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing.  She moved to Albany and began working as a Nurse at the VA Hospital where she became Head Nurse of the Cardiac Care Unit.  She married her beloved husband Edward F. Bollinger in 1977.  When her daughter Heidi Elisabeth was born in 1981 she stayed home “to be a mommy.”  This was a wonderful time in her life.  

After her daughter started school, Susan began working in the home health care field.  She was a Field Supervisor at Nurses House Call and then became the Senior Field Nursing Supervisor at Eddy Home Care.  She really enjoyed visiting and talking with patients and she had a positive influence on so many caregivers.  Sue was known for being fair and kind- as well as for her dry sense of humor and her famous cookie bars.

Susan was the beloved and devoted wife of Edward for forty-five years.  Being a mother and a wife was the joy of Susan’s life and she was extraordinary.  Everything that she did for her family was so thoughtful and special. She didn’t realize how super she was, because to her, going above and beyond is just what you should do for people you love.    

She was a truly remarkable mother who treasured her daughter.  She encouraged Heidi to be imaginative and she cultivated Heidi’s love of writing and art.  Through her example, Sue taught Heidi to be conscientious, to be caring, to work hard, to value education, and to “always try your best- that’s all you can do.”  

Sue was the leader of Girl Scout Troop #533 for twelve years and led the girls on many adventures (and some hilarious misadventures that she and Heidi loved to recall and laugh about in recent years).    

Sue always stayed busy.  She loved swimming at Dionis Beach on Nantucket where the family would vacation every summer.  Sue took a long walk every day and spent many hours working in her garden.  She loved to spoil her little dog Jesse.  She was a wonderful cook and skilled baker.  She made beautiful crocheted afghans and  homemade greeting cards for her loved ones.  She was always reading a new book.  In recent months Sue had become a volunteer with East Greenbush Friends of the Library and she had been enjoying new friendships.    

Susan was predeceased by her husband Edward and her parents.  She is survived by her daughter Heidi and son-in-law Stephen, her sisters Marilyn and Rebecca, her sister-in-law Diane, many nieces and nephews, and deeply valued friends.  

Her family wishes to thank the outstanding S-ICU doctors at Westchester Medical Center.  In keeping with her wishes, Susan will be cremated.  Relatives and friends may call at the DeGraaf-Bryce Funeral Home, Inc.  4392 Route 150, West Sand Lake on Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 2-3 PM with a Celebration of Life starting at 3PM, moderated by a dear friend, Lynn McGuire.  Face covering and social distancing are required if not vaccinated.

Donations may be made in memory of Susan Bollinger to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York 965 Albany-Shaker Road Latham, NY 12110 or to Smile Train  https://donate.smiletrain.org/givenow. We recommend using the brycefuneralhome..com website to share or send condolences, light a candle, view videos or for service directions.
 

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