Ms. Suzanne T. Kenishea

Suzanne Therese Schaefer Kenishea, 63, of Woodbury CT, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at the VITAS In-Patient Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterbury. 

Born on October 11, 1960, in Houston, TX, Suzanne was the youngest of six children born to Leonard Charles Schaefer and Barbara Therese Brennan Schaefer.

She graduated from Memorial High School in Houston, Texas in 1978, then attended college at Sam Houston State University and the University of Texas at Austin. After moving to Connecticut, she received a degree in Art History from Southern Connecticut State University.

Suzanne put her art history knowledge to work as an assistant at Thomas Colville, Inc., Art Dealer. Later, she married Joseph P. Kenishea and became a mother to her son Christopher. She spent numerous years as a substitute teacher for Pomperaug Regional School District 15 and Southington Public Schools. She treated the students as her own kids and developed many close relationships with them.

A lover of music and blessed with a beautiful voice, Suzanne performed in many musicals in junior high, high school, community theaters, and events, including weddings and funerals.

Animals were an important part of her life. Since childhood, Suzanne had many pets, including dogs, rabbits, and horses. She had the closest connection to cats, most recently her dear orange tabby Cheeto, who has been a wonderful comfort to her the last few years. She also had a whimsical love for donkeys and loved receiving donkey-related gifts and videos from friends and family. 

A wonderful friend to whomever she met, Suzanne had a bubbly, comical personality that attracted all kinds of people. She loved antiques and unique items, and enjoyed going to antique shops, out-of-the-way yard sales, and curio shops to find beautiful furniture and special pieces. 

Left to cherish Suzanne’s memory are her son Christopher Kenishea of Plainville, CT, siblings, Cynthia Schaefer of Houston, TX, L. Franklyn Schaefer of Houston, TX, Stephen L. Schaefer of Vanderpool, TX, Betsy Hupp and her husband Stephen of Houston, TX, brother-in-law Lee Cash of Kerrville, TX, numerous beloved cousins, nephews, and nieces, and dear friend Georgia Candiotti.

She was preceded in death by her former husband Joe, with whom she still shared a close relationship, parents Leonard Charles Schaefer and Barbara Therese Brennan Schaefer, sister Barbara Schaefer Cash, sister-in-law Peggy Schaefer, and her grandparents.

Please consider making a donation to Beacon Hose Co. #1 in Beacon Falls, CT, or your local animal shelter in Suzanne's memory.

There are no calling hours. Casey’s Eastside Memorial Funeral Home and Cremation Care has been honored to assist the Kenishea family during this difficult time. Loving kindness is always welcome, and it only takes a moment to offer a message of condolence or words of comfort or share a memory of someone important to you with your family and friends. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the Kenishea family, please visit our website at www.caseyfunerals.com