Suzanne Auer Walsh

Suzanne Auer Walsh (Suzi), 84, of Killingworth, Connecticut passed away on October 14, 2023 in New Haven, at Yale Memorial Hospital, after becoming critically ill. This was preceded by a period of declining health.

No calling hours will be held.

A private burial will be held at Old Hopkinton Cemetery later this month for close family and friends. Arrangements are by Swan Funeral Home.

Suzi was born in Saint Albans, Vermont to Beulah Soule Auer and Frederick Melchoir Auer on April 5, 1939. She attended local schools in Hopkinton, NH before graduating from Northfield. She married Alexander (Sandy) Hamilton Walsh, DVM on September 21, 1957 in Hopkinton, NH. She ceaselessly supported Sandy as he practiced veterinary medicine in Kentucky, New Hampshire, and ultimately at their Green Mountain Veterinary Hospital in Burlington, Vermont. They moved to Connecticut in 1972, living first in Old Saybrook and ultimately in Killingworth. Together they raised their daughters Jeanna and Lissa, always emphasizing the importance of family, education and independence.

Suzi is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Carleton Frederick Auer.

Suzi is survived by her devoted husband Sandy Walsh, DVM of Killingworth, CT; daughters Lissa Walsh (Amy Rosenfeld) of Carlisle, MA and Jeanna Walsh (Ken Rosso) of Concord, NH; her granddaughter Evelyn Rosso; sister-in-law Sally Auer of Henniker; NH, nieces Sarah Auer of Saint Albans, VT, Susan Yen of Somersworth, NH, and Alice Achayo of Boston; and nephew William Auer (Molly) of Henniker, NH, along with great nieces and nephews. There are also many family members in northern Vermont who share our sadness at her loss.

The throughline of Suzi’s life could be best described as a love of horses. From riding her pony on the dirt roads of Hopkinton New Hampshire as a girl, to training the "off the track" thoroughbred Mike Murphy in Burlington Vermont, to introducing her daughters to the joys of horsemanship, and with her last and most beloved Arab/Welsh pony Ralphy, she was never without the influence of these gentle and elusive animals in her life. One could muse that she ensured a lifelong connection with horses when she married a large animal veterinarian.

Memorial donations may be given to either Bat Conservation International (https://www.batcon.org/) or the charity of your choice.

Suzanne’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the dedicated professionals at Yale New Haven Hospital who compassionately shepherded her through her final hours. We also wish to thank Stefanie Meyer of Swan Funeral Home for her gentle and wise guidance. Much gratitude to the countless family and friends who have supported us with kind words and memories of our Mama.