Suzanne L. Schmitt

Suzanne L. Schmitt (88) of Bedford, passed away peacefully the morning of August 8th 2025 at Catholic Medical Center. She was born in New York City on March 29th in 1937 to the late Robert and Mary (Brennan) Loar. Suzanne lived a rich and meaningful life that unfolded in three distinct and beautiful chapters.

She was raised on Long Island in the town of Baldwin, where her lifelong love for dance first took root. A talented ballerina, Suzanne performed and then later taught dance. She attended St. Agnes High School before going on to Good Counsel College in White Plains, NY. Suzanne married the love of her life Douglas Schmitt and raised two sons in Coram, NY. As they grew she went back to work, becoming a special education teacher, a role that would come to define her professionally. Her love for her students, especially those who faced unique challenges, was unmatched. Suzanne always had a love of the water and would spend countless hours with her family on the beaches of Long Island’s north shore. After her kids grew, Suzanne and her husband moved to Baiting Hollow, enjoying a beautiful view of the Long Island Sound. During this first chapter of her life, Suzanne fully embraced her most cherished roles - devoted wife, mother, and teacher.

The next chapter of Suzanne's life began after the passing of her beloved husband. Though grief marked this transition, she moved to Londonderry, NH to be closer to her sons and poured all her heart into her three grandchildren, who became her world. Suzanne was a fixture at Bedford Bulldogs football, basketball, and lacrosse games and was always a crowd favorite with her signs and cheering. In these years, she also found joy in her hobbies, especially her meticulous work on dollhouses and time in the kitchen baking for her grandchildren. Faith was central to her life, and Suzanne was an active member of St. Jude Catholic Church before her health began to decline.

In the later years of her life, she lived her third and final chapter. Suzanne made a new home at Bowman Place in Bedford as a Founding Member, one of the original twelve residents. Her presence there helped shape the spirit of the community, offering warmth, humor, and friendship that makes Bowman feel like home for so many others. Suzanne would often be seen singing, dancing, and smiling, and even as her cognition and mobility declined, her impact never did.

She was pre-deceased by her husband Douglas Schmitt and sister Mary Ellen Loar.

Suzanne leaves behind sons David Schmitt and his wife Ericca of Bedford, NH and Steven Schmitt of Bow, NH; grandchildren Evan Schmitt, Kamryn Schmitt, and Hudson Schmitt of Bedford, NH; and sister Patricia Hammer and her husband Joseph of Suffolk, VA.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday August 14th from 3:00 - 4:30 PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematoriums located at 243 Hanover St. Manchester, NH. A memorial service will follow at 4:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Bowman Place at www.bowmanplace.org/friends-of-bowman