Suzanne Deak Wittig

Suzanne Deak Wittig passed away in the presence of loved ones on January 7, 2023. Predeceased by her parents, Ronald and Elizabeth Deak, Sue was born on November 2, 1954, and lived most of her years in Saugerties, New York. In recent years she resided in Port St Lucie, Florida where she thoroughly enjoyed living near the beach.  

Imagine walking through a refugee camp during a tenuous era of war. Sue did this on her own for the purpose of making contacts there in order to help. In the 1980’s, thousands of Afghan civilians were subsisting in refugee camps in Pakistan, and Sue made a trip there to see for herself. Teachers in the camps were attempting to educate children, but lacked needed school items. After returning home, Sue began organizing fundraisers and worked tirelessly to spread awareness of the plight of these refugees. School supplies and needed provisions were collected and shipped through Sue’s efforts. She also welcomed two Afghan teens into her home until permanent housing was arranged with their extended families. Both of them had lost their homes and immediate family in the war. 

In order to give the refugee children a connection to America, Sue also arranged an art exchange between local students and refugee students. Working with art teachers throughout Ulster County schools, refugee students sent artwork, sadly depicting scenes of war, back to local kids who sent artwork depicting peaceful scenery. Sue crafted a chain of friendship, mutual understanding and messages of hope between the two cultures.  

In her younger years, way before her involvement with the refugee camp, Sue travelled to Europe to visit relatives. She brought home a most beloved souvenir from Germany, her devoted husband Ludwig Wittig. After marrying in 1980, Sue and Ludwig enjoyed 43 beautiful years of love, laughter and loyalty together. For many years, Sue and Ludwig worked together helping clients redecorate their homes. Sue became a second-generation owner of Wallpaper World, creating a decorating consultation business. She was known for her sense of style, her ability to transform a room or decorate a whole house, and had a knack for making things beautiful. 

Going back further in time, Sue’s interests at Saugerties High School included the theater department, peaking during her senior year with a production of The Crucible.  Her love of politics percolated after she joined the club called, Youth in Government. Stories passed down over the years often related an affinity Sue had for challenging both high school teachers and college professors. Some teachers appreciated Sue’s classroom debates more than others!   She was also a regular member of the school’s Quiz Bowl team. A fellow member of the team wrote in Sue’s yearbook: “Sue, An enigma wrapped in a puzzle, enclosed in a mystery.”  A common theme of all the yearbook comments were how unique, fun and interesting her friends found her. 

A love of the theater and a talent for working backstage on live productions thrived during her college years at Marist College. She was inducted into Marist’s Theater Hall of Fame in 2013. Some of her successful productions in college included Barefoot in the Park, George M, and The Prime of Miss Jean Brody.  After graduating, she continued her theater work in upstate New York venues, including the original Woodstock Playhouse and Cohoes Music Hall. Family and friends were always invited to her shows and were never disappointed. 

It was her inner beauty that her family and friends cherished most. Those close to her benefited from Sue’s influence. She advocated the power of forgiveness, the importance of enjoying our time on earth without wasting energy on self-pity, and being grateful for what we have instead of being bitter about what we don’t. She lived by these principles, shared this wisdom and was filled with love for others. At every stage of her life, she was willing to care for loved ones and never hesitated to be there when needed.  

Sue was happiest when surrounded by family. Having dinner plans with Sue meant you were in for a night of lively discussion and joyful laughter. Sue’s personality was the perfect combination of loving and strong, dedicated and feisty. She supported the Ulster County Right to Life Committee, who helped pregnant women in tough circumstances get the support they needed. She hosted a radio program on WGHQ for years, played tennis, studied genealogy to preserve her family’s history, and was a pet lover of countless cats and dogs, most recently her beloved dogs, Max and Hazel. 

Sue had a strong belief in God and remained faithful to Him always. Her dynamic personality and strong convictions helped shape an interesting life. Sue was a unique and caring individual who is loved and missed by her husband, Ludwig Wittig, family and friends. A beautiful person inside and out, rest in peace Sue.

Her Funeral Procession will form 9:15 AM Saturday Aug. 12 at the Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home Inc., Saugerties. Procession will conitnue to the St. Mary of the Snow Church for a 10 AM Funeral Mass. Inurnment will follow in the St. Mary of the Snow Cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 11 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Expressions of condolonce may be shared with the family at SeamonWilseyFuneralHome.com

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