Susan Ellen (Cooper) Gunderman

On November 27, 2025, Susan Ellen (Cooper) Gunderman died unexpectedly, surrounded by family.

Susan was born on October 22, 1941, in Rahway, New Jersey, to John and Stephanie Cooper, both predeceased. When her mother died her father married Doris Cooper. Her stepmother, is also predeceased.

On September 16, 1961,Susan married Kenneth Gunderman, predeceased, and started a family. They had two children, Debra and Kyle. They became very active members of the Taftville Congregational Church, where Susan loved singing in the choir and sharing all her talents with the church. Together, Sue and Ken developed an open classroom curriculum which was adopted by the United Church of Christ and was used by many churches around the country.

Susan’s parents, John and Doris, moved the family to California, leaving Susan and her family here in the East. She and Ken would pack the kids in the car and make many trips across the country to visit. This began a love for travel. Their many adventures would bring them to almost every state in the U.S. and every province in Canada. Sue and Ken gained a love of NASCAR and went to many races around the country.

Once the kids had grown, she found a career in elderly housing. She was an administrator for Westfield Village in Danielson. She again used all her talents to make it a fun and caring experience for her residents. She became a district manager overseeing other housing developments and gained many accolades for her work.

At the end of her career, she went back to her first love, Westfield Village, and reluctantly retired when it became time. She still continued her presence, being on the board of the Windham Regional Community Council. She also became a member of the Health and Safety Board in her community of Griswold as well. She was always most happy when she was able to contribute her time, knowledge, and abilities.

Susan loved reading, crossword puzzles, computer games, watching the birds that gathered at her feeders, and spending time with family.

Susan was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mom, and a friend. She filled those roles with so much love, generosity, strength, caring, fun, patience, but most of all, love. She will be greatly missed. 

Susan was predeceased by her parents, John and Stephanie, and her stepmother, Doris. She is survived by her siblings: Jonathan, Kathy, Janet, Cindy, and David; her daughter Debra and her partner Steven; and her son Kyle and his wife Sue.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a cause Susan loved and believed in, Senior Resources Agency on Aging.  

Link to donate https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=m76chTE6L1nxA-oT-QbOBce-8YieF-sxLPubB4EupsBAeU2BhS4aXI_AI5hxuTPAQfcX53SLKHmTh23l

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