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Susan M. "Sue" Mezey, 94, of Camillus, N.Y., formerly of Altoona, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, at Crouse Hospital after a brief illness. Born in Altoona, Sue was the daughter of J.E. and Esther Holtzinger.
She was a proud graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Class of 1953. After graduation, Sue moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked in the social welfare department of the Washington Federation of Churches and attended night classes at The George Washington University Law School. In 1954, she was awarded a Rotary Foundation Fellowship for advanced study abroad to study political science at the Australian National University in Canberra.
It was during her time in Australia that Sue met her future husband, George J. Mezey, a Hungarian who had immigrated to Australia after World War II. George followed her home to Altoona, upon the completion of her studies in Australia, and they were married on Oct. 6, 1956. The couple lived in Toronto, Canada, before they moved to Syracuse in 1958. In 1966, they finished building their forever home in Camillus, N.Y., where they raised their five children.
Sue was a true servant leader who believed in doing good works quietly. She was a community volunteer extraordinaire, especially when it came to children and education. Sue had a special connection with children and a gift for patiently teaching three- and four-year-olds. And if she saw that the community was missing an organization, she would start one.
Sue was a founding member of the Marcellus Academic Club and was a driving force in getting the Marcellus Sports Booster Club started. She was a long-time member of the Camillus Optimist Club, the Camillus Ski Association, the Camillus Maxwell Memorial Library Board and the Marcellus Hospitality Dance Club. Sue served on the Marcellus Central School District Board of Education for 15 years from 1975-90, serving as president for three of those years. She volunteered as an advisor to the Marcellus High School Mock Trial Team in 1989.
As a woman of deep and abiding faith, Sue was a longtime member of the Marcellus United Methodist Church. She volunteered in all aspects of church life, including teaching Sunday school and serving as the Sunday school superintendent. She was also the longtime director of the Marcellus United Methodist Church Nursery School, as well as a longtime teacher, which combined her love of children and education.
Sue was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents, J.E. and Esther Holtzinger; and her siblings: Marjorie (Dean) Helsel, John (Ann) Holtzinger II and E. Louise (Fred) White.
Surviving are her children: George E. (Nancy) Mezey of Pittsburgh; Phillip (Toni) Mezey of San Antonio, Texas; Sue (Nick) Caronna of Apex, N.C.; Julia (Brian) Lachman of York, Pa.; and Lydia (Tom) West of Marcellus, N.Y.; and brother, Albert J. (Rita) Holtzinger of Altoona. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Anthony Caronna, Jacob (Jasmine) Mezey, Stephanie Caronna, Candace Adami, Edward Mezey, Gregory Mezey, Michael Mezey, Daniel Mezey, Gifford (Maria) Mezey, Jordan Barclay, Rebecca (Matt Mologne) Lachman, Kalin Mezey, Alec Lachman, George West and Justin West; great-grandchildren: Dorian Denman, George Mezey, Amelia Adami, Jaina Mezey, Quinn Barclay and Jonathan Mezey; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
To celebrate Susan's life, relatives and friends gathered from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, at Marcellus United Methodist Church, 1 Slocombe Ave., Marcellus. A funeral service followed at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Sue's memory to one of the three organizations that meant a great deal to her: The Ted and Esther Scholarship at the Pennsylvania State University Altoona Campus, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA 16601; The Marcellus Academic Club, c/o Marcellus Central Schools, 2 Reed Parkway, Marcellus, NY 13108; or to the Marcellus United Methodist Church, 1 Slocombe Ave., Marcellus, NY 13108.
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