EARLVILLE – Susan Antoinette “Sue Ann” Hoefler of Anchorage, Alaska passed peacefully in her home on Saturday, Dec 11, 2010.
Sue Ann was born in Hamilton on Dec. 1, 1955 and just celebrated her 55th birthday. As a young girl she dreamed of becoming an OB Registered Nurse and pursued her dream after graduating from Sherburne-Earlville Central School in 1974. She graduated with her RN degree in 1977 from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Elmira. Sue Ann was so excited to be the only Nurse chosen from her graduating class to be employed as an OB Nurse (her dream come true) at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elmira where she worked until the OB Unit closed. She went on to work for Arnot Ogden Hospital OB unit in Elmira until 1992.
Sue Ann then moved to Bethel Alaska in 1992 for a one year adventure in bush (rural) community nursing. She loved Alaska so much she took up residency and stayed for 18 years. She lived and worked for many years in both Bethel and Barrow, and she worked shorter periods in many other rural towns. Sue Ann was a truly gifted OB Nurse (35 years) who touched the lives of thousands throughout rural Alaska for almost two decades. She brought thousands of babies into this world and several mothers even named their babies after her.
Sue Ann was totally dedicated to her family, friends, and patients. She was beloved by all. Not only did she give selflessly in her profession, she gave to her family, friends and strangers. She loved having family and friends stay with her in her beautiful, comfy homes. She was a great tour guide, perfect hostess, a fantastic cook, a loving daughter, sister, aunt, god mother and close friend to many. She gave so much of herself to others and never expected anything in return. Sue Ann loved to shop and travel. She was intelligent, hard working, adventurous, courageous, strong willed, honest, trustworthy, independent and yet fearful of spiders. Sue Ann also had a great sense of humor and was a gifted photographer.
Sue Ann battled cancer for the last 2.5 years and seemed to be recovering when she collapsed and died unexpectedly. Her brother Joseph had spent the last three months with Sue Ann in Anchorage and was with her when she passed. Per her wishes, her body was cremated with a private family ceremony. Surviving is her mother, three brothers, two sisters, one niece and nephew. Mother Sue Hoefler, brother Michael Sr. and Sarah Hoefler and their children Michael Hoefler Jr. and Brenda Hoefler, sister Peggy Hoefler all from Earlville; sister JoAnne Hoefler, brother Joseph Hoefler Jr. and Joanne Carocci, brother Danny Hoefler and Rene Stobnicke, all from Jamesville. Sue Ann is also survived by countless friends from all over the United States. She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Hoefler Sr.
The Hoefler Family is receiving correspondence at: The Hoefler Family, PO Box 663 (57 Main St), Earlville, NY 13332. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Earlville Fire Department or a charity of your choice.
Please visit Sue Ann’s memorial website at http://www.forevermissed.com/sueannhoefler to share your thoughts, stories, photos and memories.
The family wishes to thank their family and friends and Sue Ann’s countless friends for your love, prayers, support and positive energy. Sue Ann will be truly missed and her spirit will live on in all of those whose lives she touched.