It is with a heavy heart that I write: the force of woman known as Susan Dorothy (Neyhart) Winn died unexpectedly and suddenly of an unknown medical event on Friday March 22, 2024 at the age of 77 at her home in Mystic, CT.
Sue was born December 29, 1946 to Keith B. And Dorothy M. (Evans) Neyhart in Providence, RI. She grew up in Barrington, RI, attending public schools, Barrington College, and Westfield State University (part time to gain a Master’s Degree in Education). In 1974, Sue moved to 56 Bellevue Ave in Longmeadow, MA, living there until 2023 when she moved to Haley Brook Apartments in Mystic, CT.
Mrs. Winn was a keyboarding/business teacher at Chicopee Comprehensive High School for more than 30 years. Upon “retirement,” she worked for Olan Mills church photography. To no one’s surprise, she never truly “retired,” working for St. Paul Lutheran Church until 2024. Sue held many volunteer positions over her lifetime, speaking to her natural leadership qualities and relentless work ethic, including Girl Scout cookie mom/leader, book club leader, many positions at St. Paul, including leading VBS, Sunday school, church council, and treasury.
Her greatest accomplishments were, of course, raising her daughter, Wendy S. Winn, as a single mom, and helping raise her granddaughter, Parker E. Rhodes. Her life was devoted to helping make sure Wendy was always prepared for life, and that Parker always felt loved and cared for. She took care of Parker throughout her entire life and recently drove her to karate, ninja and theater several times per week. She loved taking Parker to the beach, playing board games, and teaching her to sew. “Grandma” was by far her favorite title of all the titles in her life.
Sue was passionate about many things, including Connecticut Sun Basketball, charitable donations to food banks, UConn women’s basketball, various organizations in Longmeadow, St. Paul Lutheran Church, and watching the Celtics and Red Sox. Anyone who has met her remembers her, mostly due to her outspoken, no-nonsense personality and fierce independence. She was always willing to both speak up and step up, no questions asked. This led to fun ventures such as working with her friend Linda Betley on Frequent Flyer Flags and helping Wendy and Jen Kloster launch their teenage scrunchie “business” Hip + Happening for Hair.
She is predeceased by her parents, cats, and some cousins, and survived not only by her blood family: her brother Tom (Linda) Neyhart and son Bret, but by a network of strong family friends who have stood by Sue, Wendy, and Parker. We thank the Betley Family, the Kloster/Alvord Family, and her St. Paul friends for their integral and enduring familial love over several decades. She couldn’t have done it without you.
You may join a celebration of Sue’s life on Saturday April 6, 2024 from 12-1 pm, open-house style at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Mystic CT 06355. No funeral or burial.
In thinking about Sue, we ask that you leave a fun personal memory of her on www.dinotofuneral.com below or mail a photo/memory directly to the funeral home. We will display these memories at her party and keep them thereafter. We are doing this to share anecdotes about someone so unforgettable.
Sue lived as she died, independent and on her terms. We know she will be with us every day, and we ask the question “WWGD? (What would Grandma do)” And encourage you to play the game of “What would Sue have to say about this?” in her memory. We think she’d like that. Sue’s favorite color was red and her favorite flower are red roses. She’s allergic to Easter Lillies. We intend to set up a scholarship for women’s basketball in her name.
In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation to Groton Public Library in her name, where she had just recently told me she wished they had more available large print books for her book clubs. If you knew Sue, thank you for being a part of her life.