Susan Garrigan-Piela , VRHS Class of 1975
EAST GREENBUSH -- Susan Garrigan, aka Susan Garrigan-Piela, Garrigan-Brooks, of East Greenbush, died on Friday, December 11, 2020, at age 63, after long fought illness. Susan was born in Albany on November 7, 1957, to Edward and Joan Garrigan of Rensselaer. She was proud to have graduated from Rensselaer High School and to have been on the cheerleading team as well as the track and field team. Susan received her B.S. at Russell Sage in economics and management, her M.B.A. from The College of Saint Rose, and took classes at R.P.I. to work toward a Ph.D. Susan was a professor of economics at several local colleges, worked in finance and business administration for SUNY and R.P.I., as well as Homeless and Travelers Aid and other non-profits in her long career. Susan served her community in many capacities including as a member of the East Greenbush School Board from 2011 to 2015, and the East Greenbush Education Foundation for 20 years including time serving as president, and regularly attended district BRAC meetings. She was dedicated to her community and its students, always working to provide the most to them. She worked with several nonprofits in the community including the Friends of the Blue Gridiron and Friends of the Blue Grapplers, as well as the Theater committee and others. She was recognized in 2019 by the Rensselaer High School hall of fame for a lifetime of achievements and hard work. Susan loved to be in the outdoors and would start every day she could with a walk in the woods, especially with a dog by her side. She spent her time exploring the outdoors hiking, kayaking, and watching for wildlife at her pond. She loved her family very dearly, in particular her two sons who she was more than willing to brag about to whomever she met. She leaves behind her sons, Sean and Alex; her mother Joan; her siblings, Ed and his wife Madeline, Michael, Maryalice, Marthanne and husband Gregory, and Andy and his wife Amy. A funeral Mass for Susan was held in Historic St. Mary's Church on Capital Hill, Lodge Street, Albany. Interment followed in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. Donations, in lieu of flowers, to the East Greenbush Education Foundation, Friends of the Blue Grapplers/Gridiron or another nonprofit that serves the students of East Greenbush would be appreciated.