1949
Susan
2024
Susan Josephine (Dodsworth) Michel
December 31, 1949 — October 7, 2024
Susan Michel Obituary
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Susan Josephine Michel, age 74, on October 7, 2024, of Ashford, CT. She passed away surrounded by her loved ones after patiently and bravely battling Parkinson’s Disease for 18 1/2 years.
Susan was born on December 31, 1949, in Sheffield, England to Joseph (d. 1986) and Florence Dodsworth née Watkinson (d. 2005). She was a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother (“Gigi”), sister, teacher, and friend. She is survived by her devoted husband and best friend Robert George Michel, children Ruth Michel Ferreri, and Ian Joseph Michel, and their families; Beth, Maya, and Katie Michel, and Gianni, Ella, and Luca Ferreri. In the United Kingdom, she is survived by her sisters, Ann Twigg and Helen Cuckson. She was predeceased by her older sister Fay Ramzan.
Susan was known by her family for her love of nature and flower gardening, particularly primroses, poppies, and daffodils; poetry; reading a wide variety of novels; embroidery; hiking, and her love of teaching young children.
Susan worked determinedly to qualify to teach children in both the UK and the US, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education at Sheffield University, 1972, and Master’s degree in Education at the University of Connecticut 1991. She was inspired to follow her calling to be always teaching young children. Those children ultimately lived enchantedly in her memory for the rest of her life.
Susan and Robert met in their native city of Sheffield, England on the Ides of March 1969, at a college dance, although Susan always remembered seeing Robert in their common elementary school. After enjoying each other’s company studying together in Sheffield Library, and many hikes in the hills of the Peak National Park adjacent to Sheffield, they married on August 19th, 1972 at the St Columbus Church, Church of England, in Crosspool, Sheffield. They lived in Florida, USA, and Glasgow, Scotland in the 1970s before moving to their home of 45 years in Ashford, Connecticut in 1979. Those hikes continued as boating the Everglades in Florida, hiking the Tetons and Grand Canyon, and in the Scottish hills. Their total devotion to each other and the life they shared, will be passed down through coming generations of the family as a beautiful and quintessential example of deep and abiding love.
The blessings Susan bestowed upon her children as a gentle, loving, and ever-present mother, will serve as a golden thread in the tapestry of our family.
Susan touched many children’s lives over the course of her career as a kindergarten and grade school teacher in many places starting in Sheffield, England at Westways nursery-first school, and Hemsworth infant school; in Florida, USA, at the Santa Fe Community College Little School, Gainesville; in Scotland at the Craigielea Primary School, and Springbank Nursery School, Paisley. In Connecticut, USA, she taught young children nursery through 1st and 2nd grade at the smallest Elementary school in CT (Union) and the largest Elementary School (Colchester). Also, she taught Sunday school at St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Storrs, CT, and helped with Girl Scouts in Ashford. She embodied a rare combination of steadfast happiness, kindness, wisdom, patience, and devoted companionship. To her family, friends, acquaintances, and past pupils, she will be a gentle and loving memory.
We all have a bright memory of her radiant smile, which spontaneously lit up her face. Her infectious laugh grew, and tickled, and pulled everybody in so that we were all encompassed by her joy. She had a delightful way of seeing the humor in the small details of life, which will be treasured and deeply missed. We all loved to see her smile with pleasure while she enjoyed a not quite small bowl of Ice cream decorated with a crown of bright pink raspberry sauce.
Susan was the natural embodiment of love. This is well expressed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Robert and the rest of the family are especially grateful for the love and cheerful company of Natalia Bullard, Susan’s caregiver, over the last 6 months of her life. Natalia’s laughter, love and patience were a comforting support and gift to Susan’s own gentle spirit. Susan was very happy during that time, and Natalia’s photographs captured Susan beautifully. Also, the people at St George’s Episcopal Church in Bolton, CT succored her Faith through most of the difficult years of Parkinson’s and for that we are very grateful. "Please consider making a donation in Susan's name to the Michael J Fox Foundation," https://www.michaeljfox.org/
There will be a calling hour on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 10:00am to 11:00am at St. George Episcopal Church, 1150 Boston Turnpike (Rt 44), Bolton, CT. Her Funeral Service will follow at 11:00am. Burial will be at 1:00pm at Woodward Cemetery, Ashford, CT.
Church Zoom Meeting
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Susan Josephine (Dodsworth) Michel, please visit our floral store.
Read More
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Susan Josephine Michel, age 74, on October 7, 2024, of Ashford, CT. She passed away surrounded by her loved ones after patiently and bravely battling Parkinson’s Disease for 18 1/2 years.
Susan was born on December 31, 1949, in Sheffield, England to Joseph (d. 1986) and Florence Dodsworth née Watkinson (d. 2005). She was a beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother (“Gigi”), sister, teacher, and friend. She is survived by her devoted husband and best friend Robert George Michel, children Ruth Michel Ferreri, and Ian Joseph Michel, and their families; Beth, Maya, and Katie Michel, and Gianni, Ella, and Luca Ferreri. In the United Kingdom, she is survived by her sisters, Ann Twigg and Helen Cuckson. She was predeceased by her older sister Fay Ramzan.
Susan was known by her family for her love of nature and flower gardening, particularly primroses, poppies, and daffodils; poetry; reading a wide variety of novels; embroidery; hiking, and her love of teaching young children.
Susan worked determinedly to qualify to teach children in both the UK and the US, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education at Sheffield University, 1972, and Master’s degree in Education at the University of Connecticut 1991. She was inspired to follow her calling to be always teaching young children. Those children ultimately lived enchantedly in her memory for the rest of her life.
Susan and Robert met in their native city of Sheffield, England on the Ides of March 1969, at a college dance, although Susan always remembered seeing Robert in their common elementary school. After enjoying each other’s company studying together in Sheffield Library, and many hikes in the hills of the Peak National Park adjacent to Sheffield, they married on August 19th, 1972 at the St Columbus Church, Church of England, in Crosspool, Sheffield. They lived in Florida, USA, and Glasgow, Scotland in the 1970s before moving to their home of 45 years in Ashford, Connecticut in 1979. Those hikes continued as boating the Everglades in Florida, hiking the Tetons and Grand Canyon, and in the Scottish hills. Their total devotion to each other and the life they shared, will be passed down through coming generations of the family as a beautiful and quintessential example of deep and abiding love.
The blessings Susan bestowed upon her children as a gentle, loving, and ever-present mother, will serve as a golden thread in the tapestry of our family.
Susan touched many children’s lives over the course of her career as a kindergarten and grade school teacher in many places starting in Sheffield, England at Westways nursery-first school, and Hemsworth infant school; in Florida, USA, at the Santa Fe Community College Little School, Gainesville; in Scotland at the Craigielea Primary School, and Springbank Nursery School, Paisley. In Connecticut, USA, she taught young children nursery through 1st and 2nd grade at the smallest Elementary school in CT (Union) and the largest Elementary School (Colchester). Also, she taught Sunday school at St Mark’s Episcopal Church in Storrs, CT, and helped with Girl Scouts in Ashford. She embodied a rare combination of steadfast happiness, kindness, wisdom, patience, and devoted companionship. To her family, friends, acquaintances, and past pupils, she will be a gentle and loving memory.
We all have a bright memory of her radiant smile, which spontaneously lit up her face. Her infectious laugh grew, and tickled, and pulled everybody in so that we were all encompassed by her joy. She had a delightful way of seeing the humor in the small details of life, which will be treasured and deeply missed. We all loved to see her smile with pleasure while she enjoyed a not quite small bowl of Ice cream decorated with a crown of bright pink raspberry sauce.
Susan was the natural embodiment of love. This is well expressed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Robert and the rest of the family are especially grateful for the love and cheerful company of Natalia Bullard, Susan’s caregiver, over the last 6 months of her life. Natalia’s laughter, love and patience were a comforting support and gift to Susan’s own gentle spirit. Susan was very happy during that time, and Natalia’s photographs captured Susan beautifully. Also, the people at St George’s Episcopal Church in Bolton, CT succored her Faith through most of the difficult years of Parkinson’s and for that we are very grateful. "Please consider making a donation in Susan's name to the Michael J Fox Foundation," https://www.michaeljfox.org/
There will be a calling hour on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 10:00am to 11:00am at St. George Episcopal Church, 1150 Boston Turnpike (Rt 44), Bolton, CT. Her Funeral Service will follow at 11:00am. Burial will be at 1:00pm at Woodward Cemetery, Ashford, CT.
Church Zoom Meeting
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Susan Josephine (Dodsworth) Michel, please visit our floral store.
Read More
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Susan Josephine (Dodsworth) Michel, please visit our flower store.
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