Susan D. Raymond

Susie was born January 7, 1947, in Dunkirk, NY the daughter of the late John and Lucille (Benjamin) Horlacher. She grew up in Brocton, NY and attended Brocton Central School where she established lifelong friendships that lasted from elementary school through adulthood.

Susie possessed a love and commitment to her hometown and the community that she adored. She graduated from Brocton Central High School in 1965 and attended the State University of New York at Oswego where she received a Bachelor of Science in elementary education in 1969. She furthered her education at the State University of New York at Fredonia where she received a master’s degree in education in 1973. Within this period, she married her high school sweetheart, Glenn “Jack” Raymond, whom she met in 2nd grade, at the Tri-Church Parish in Brocton, NY on August 16, 1969. Susie and Jack proceeded to build their own home on West Main Rd, where they resided for the next 53 years.

Susie began and ended her career at her alma mater, Brocton Central School, where “Mrs. Raymond” provided 34 years of dedicated service as a first and second grade teacher. She truly loved her profession and always stated that she was born to be a teacher. Teaching children to read and write was her passion, but promoting empathy, kindness and caring for others were the most influential lessons Mrs. Raymond impressed upon her students. All who met her, know that these are the virtues she personally exuded in her everyday life. Her dedication was often confirmed by the memories expressed by her many students over the years. Susie reluctantly retired from her beloved teaching position in 2005, knowing that one of the most fulfilling chapters of her life was coming to an end. However, in retirement and throughout life, Susie identified with many things. Some of those things related to family, such as wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and aunt. Other identifiers included caregiver, teacher, gardener, decorator, pet owner, walking partner, chef, dinner party planner and best friend. She would often be seen outside her home, tending to her beautiful gardens, helping work the vegetable stand with her husband Jack, leading a story hour group at the local library with her teaching partner Mary Ellen Westin, walking the streets of Brocton and Fredonia with “the walking friends”, kayaking on Cassadaga Lake or sharing laughs and snacks with the “Wine Wednesday girls”. However, her most cherished moments were those spent with her grandson Winston doing all the reading, creating, laughing, baking, and playing they could handle.

Susie is survived by her loving children, a son, Jon Raymond of Fredonia, NY, a daughter, Lindy Titus and son-in-law Benjamin Titus of Snyder, NY, her precious grandson Winston Titus and a granddaughter Madelyn Titus. Susie is also survived by her sister, Carol Horlacher, a brother James Horlacher; both of Brocton, NY, a sister-in-law Jill Dodge, nephew Glenn Dodge and great nephews Quinn and Parker all of Parma, ID. An extended family of beloved cousins are also left behind.

In addition to her parents, Susie was preceded in death by her lifelong partner and husband of 53 years, Glenn “Jack” Raymond, sister, Karen Horlacher and in-laws Glenn and Mary Raymond.

Friends may call at the Portland Congregational Church, 8649 Church Street, Portland NY on Monday April 17th from 11:00am to 1:00pm with funeral services directly following calling hours, with Rev. Josh Ehmke officiating. Graveside services will be private with burial in the Portland Evergreen Cemetery.

Funeral services are being cared for and provided by the Morse Funeral Home, 51 Highland Avenue of Brocton, NY.

The family suggests that memorials in honor of Susan be made to the Team Gleason Foundation, PO BOX 24493, New Orleans, LA 70184, the ALS Association Upstate NY Chapter, 135 Old Cove Rd. Suite 213, Liverpool, NY 13090 (webuny.alsa.org) or to Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care, 20 W Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750.