Obituary of Susan Smith-Brooks

Susan Smith Brooks, age 75, of Somers, NY, died February 8, 2021, at her home,

peacefully and surrounded by her family. She was diagnosed with ALS in 2019.

Susan was born on November 20, 1945, in Toledo, OH to Virginia and Harvey Hallenberg.

She attended the University of Wisconsin (Madison), completed her degree at Elmhurst

College, and received her Masters in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

She is survived by her husband Richard Brooks, her sister Joani Lubrant (Luby) of

Carbondale, CO, and her children Michael Smith (Julie Henderson) of Ridgefield, CT,

Deb Riehle (Mike) of Sisters, OR; Zach Smith (Katie) of Norwalk, CT, Alicia Brooks

(Chris Gahn) of Ridgefield, CT and Emma Smith of Scarsdale, NY. Her five grandchildren

(Caroline Smith, Matthew Riehle, Ava Riehle, Sydney Smith, Cameron Smith), nephews

David Lubrant (Lindsay) of Durango, CO, and Tracy Lubrant of Carbondale, CO, and grandniece

Addison Lubrant will all miss her tremendously. Her extended family, which grew exponentially

through the years, includes more names than we can possibly include here.

Susan was a woman of many passions. She loved people and happily blurred the lines

between family and friends. Family was more than just blood relatives to Susan; she made

friends with many who were pulled into her circle by her curiosity, intellect, and love. She was

a devoted member of the Badger Beauties and many book clubs. She worked with and helped

thousands of students and families achieve their dreams and reach their potential. She achieved

her own dream when she met the love of her life, Richard Brooks, who was always there for her,

caring for her until the very end.

Susan was always teaching, starting as a first-grade teacher in Chicago. After moving to NYC

in 1973, she opened a daycare center, the famous Whistle Stop Preschool in Greenwich Village.

She worked at Children's Television Workshop, and she volunteered in every community and at

every school her many children attended. After moving to Bedford, NY in 1987, and receiving her

Masters from Columbia, she started her career as a guidance counselor at Fox Lane High School,

eventually going into private practice, founding Bedford Educational Consultants. Often she worked pro

bono, or accepted barter in place of payment, much to the frustration of her bookkeeper and her

husband. She was an active and passionate member of many professional associations, including HECA

(Higher Education Consultants Association) and NACAC (National Association for College Admission

Counseling).

She was an unflagging cheerleader to all. She was a master quilter, she loved her dogs, she loved to

travel, she loved Thanksgiving, a good strong cosmo, and a grilled Hebrew National hotdog was one of

her favorite meals.

Susan was loved by all and will be missed by all.

Should you wish to make a contribution, please do so to one of the following places as they were

her favorites.

 

*The Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital,

https://www.givenow.columbia.edu/?_sa=07234&_sd=534#

*The ASPCA, https://secure.aspca.org/donate/ps-gn-p2?ms=MP_PMK_Googlebrand-T4&initialms

=MP_PMK_GooglebrandT4&pcode=WPSE9XXGOGN2PK00014&lpcode=WPSE9XXGOGN1PK00

014&test&ds_rl=1066461&gclid=Cj0KCQiA48j9BRCARIsAMQu3WT_NbC3sgrZ4cLZtmqZLc3BvQz

aeXa3kIsRruekx6iwqO541cMxC1gaAo42EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

*Or finally ... donate a tree to the fire-ravaged states of Oregon or Colorado at https://lp.

thegiftedtree.com/gclid=Cj0KCQiA48j9BRCARIsAMQu3WThtSCPbi1vqC7CJg_axxFTTt8e3Ayn

m_uHoE6zLrljETcq4VqXsSYaAmKIEALw_wcB