Suzanne Alice Donch, 76, of Mystic passed away peacefully with her family present on January 3, 2013 at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
She was born September 29, 1936 in New London to the late Paul and Alice (Zawacki) Donch. She was a 1954 graduate of Stonington High School, a 1958 graduate of UCONN, where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Education, and later went on to obtain her Master’s degree. Early in her teaching career she taught at Fitch High School and in New Jersey.
As a young American school teacher, she embarked on a career working for the federal government teaching in Japan, Italy, and finally settling in Augsburg, Germany. She traveled extensively throughout the world and maintained a close, personal network of friends. One of her most memorable teaching experiences was representing Augsburg American High School at the White House during their Blue Ribbon recognition in 1996.
After working as an educator for over 30 years she returned to the United States to live in Mystic where her family has resided since 1905. In her retirement she worked as a substitute teacher in Stonington and most recently for the Mystic Seaport, where she also held her first job as a young girl looking to pay her way through college.
She was devoted to the Catholic faith and was a communicant of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Mystic. She was also an active member of the Daughter’s of Isabella, Red Hat Society, Mystic River Chorale and attended many retreats at Enders Island. One of her most distinguishing characteristics was her willingness to give to others in need and while she had many passions, she was most enthusiastic about the arts and helping animals.
Her nephew Christopher Donch of Newport, WA, nieces Heather Timney of Phoenix, AZ and Lynsey Malone of Canterbury, sister-in-law, Vera Donch of Plainfield, grand-nephews Garrett and Colton Malone, and many close friends around the world survive her. In addition to her parents her brother Theodore Donch predeceased her.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Mystic on Wednesday at 10am. Burial will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to one of Suzanne’s favorite local pet charities, Southern Connecticut Animal Trust (www.adoptatscat.org) or Stonington Animal Rescue Project ([email protected]).
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