Obituary of Susan L. Taft

Susan L. Taft, 69, of Jamestown, NY, passed away at 11:50 pm Saturday, October 15, 2022, in her home. A lifelong area resident, she was born April 5, 1953, in Jamestown, NY, a daughter of the late Philip A. and Donna M. Peterson Taft. She was a 1971 graduate of Jamestown High School and a graduate of Jamestown Community College. Before her retirement, she was employed by the former Marine Midland Bank, HSBC Bank, and Key Bank, retiring as a platform manager after over 30 years of service. Susan could light up a room and she enjoyed summers with her family at the Vikings Lake Park engaging in boating and waterskiing by day, playing cards by sunset, and dancing into the wee hours of the night with the many bands hosted by the club. She loved curling up with her cat Allie and would get lost reading novels for hours. She enjoyed her weekly visits to the James Prendergast Library to enhance her collection of reading choices. Surviving is a daughter, Lisa (Charlie) Piazza of Frewsburg, NY, a sister, Nancy K. Curry of Jamestown, NY, and her sister-in-law, Deborah Taft of Jamestown. She is also survived by her former husband and father of her two children Thomas E. LaRusch of Warren, PA, her lifelong best friend, Diane Yager of Fuquay Varina, NC, as well as many beloved cousins that shared in her life. She was preceded in death by her father, Philip A. Taft who died December 13, 2016, her mother, Donna M. Taft who died December 12, 2019, an infant son, Michael Andrew LaRusch on September 3, 1974, a brother, Larry W. Taft who died April 3, 2015, her significant other of 23 years, Gary J. Zepka who died January 10, 2014, her recent companion Michael A. McKenzie who died in November 2021. Friends and family are invited to share in a celebration of life for Susan to be held from 2-4 pm Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Celoron Fire Department, 92 Dunham Ave. Celoron, NY. Memorials may be made to the James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St. Jamestown, NY 14701, Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701, or to the Celoron Hose Company, 92 Dunham Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701