Sue C. Campagna

HERKIMER - Mrs. Sue Campagna, age 80, and a resident of Herkimer, New York, passed peacefully on Wednesday, September 17th, after a long illness.

Born November 5, 1944, Sue was the daughter of Walter and Wanda (Matthews) Snyder. She was raised on a dairy farm in the Town of Norway. Sue was a graduate of West Canada Valley Central School. She continued her education at SUNY Cortland, SUNY College of Technology of Utica, and Utica College of Syracuse University. Her proudest accomplishment was receiving her Registered Professional Nurse diploma from Faxton Hospital School of Nursing.

On June 18, 1966, Sue married the love of her life, Eugene “Gino” Campagna at St. Anthony’s Church in Herkimer. Together they shared in a loving and devoted union of over fifty-four years. The two were inseparable, Sue doted on Gino tirelessly.

In her professional career, Sue started as a staff nurse at Faxton Hospital transitioning to an Instructor with the Utica public school system. Following that she was Coordinator of In-Service Education at Herkimer Memorial Hospital. Sue then moved to the Director of Patient Services of Herkimer County Public Health, eventually becoming the first ever Director of Herkimer County Public Health.

One of Sue’s proudest professional accomplishments was founding the Herkimer County Hospice Program. Sue volunteered her time as Administrator for the Hospice program. The program was ultimately named The Sue Campagna Hospice of Herkimer County. In support of Hospice, Sue coordinated the annual Butterfly Release Celebration with Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. If you were fortunate enough to witness one of these events they were beautiful to behold and her dedication and attention to detail was clearly evident.

Sue received numerous awards and honors throughout her years of service. Some of the awards included: Citation for Leadership in Public Health; Who’s Who in Government Services; Nurse of Distinction Recognition by New York State Legislature; Who’s Who in American Nursing; American Red Cross Great Hero Award; and she was a recipient of Dove Award for work in the palliative care field. Along with these awards Sue was also appointed to multiple Boards in the health care field.

Although she pursued excellence in her professional career, Sue was just as dedicated to her family. She was always at the ready to help her siblings and numerous nieces and nephews, with special mention of two grandnieces, Dakota and Myka, whom she spoiled and loved as if they were her own grandchildren.

Sue was famously known for her Christmas cookie trays which she shared lovingly with friends and family, often figuring out your favorite. Unsurprisingly, you always had plenty of your particular favorite. Thanksgiving family dinners were also a highlight of her and Gino’s family traditions. It was sure to include their “Thanksgiving Soup”, homemade stuffing and quite possibly the largest turkey in the state.

Sue also made sure everyone felt special on birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and any special accomplishment they achieved by sending cards with a heartfelt message of love. (The greeting card companies miss her).

Sue leaves behind her sister Linda Helmer, two brothers Allen (Judy) Snyder and Kurt (Kathy) Snyder, and brother-in-law Cliff Crossett, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sue was predeceased by her husband, her parents, two sisters Judy Crossett and infant Ann, and her brother-in-law Leon Helmer.

A sincere thank you is extended to the entire staff of Brookdale Memory Care Facility in Clinton, NY for providing exceptional care and compassion to Sue for the past 2 years.

A very special thank you to Sue’s nieces Kelley Crossett and Amy Shepherd for following Sue’s example and caring for her with dignity, respect and endless love the past several years.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend funeral home calling hours from 11:30am-12:30pm on Monday, September 22nd. A celebration of life funeral service will follow at 12:30pn at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Rd, Ilion, NY 13357. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, NY.

In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd, New Hartford, NY 13413 or Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, 5015 Campuswood Dr, Suite 102, East Syracuse, NY 13057.

This obituary will appear on the funeral home website at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.

Enea, Ciaccia, & Applegate Funeral Directors (315) 894-8000.