Suzanne M. Guzewich

Suzanne Marie Tedesco Guzewich, 47, of Norwich, NY, passed away peacefully the evening of February 28, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Suzanne was born on May 13, 1975, in Southampton, Long Island, NY to John L. Tedesco, Jr. and Susan (Pantaleo) Tedesco. She attended Hampton Bays schools and continued on to graduate from SUNY Cobleskill with an Associates in Early Childhood Education, SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelors in Elementary Education, and SUNY Cortland with a Masters in Childhood Education. Falling in love with the rolling hills and lakes of Central New York, she settled down in Norwich and began teaching at Stanford J. Gibson Primary School as a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher in 1999. “Miss Tedesco,” later known as “Mrs. Guzewich” (pronounced Guz-h) was known to be a sweet, gentle soul, adored by her students. Her kind and loving spirit softened even the most unruly little saplings, and she inspired numerous students to eventually go into teaching as well. She was also a beloved coworker and friend to the other Gibson and district teachers and staff who knew her.

In 2005, Suzanne and her husband, Eric, brought their son Ethan into the world, followed by Timothy in 2008. She put everything she had into caring for her two sons and teaching them her gentle ways of kindness. Suzanne was talented in cooking and baking, especially with allergen-free ingredients, which is not easy to do! She loved the outdoors and family vacations. Her favorite and proudest moments from the past few years include watching her kids thrive in extracurricular activities such as swimming, orchestra, and school musicals.

Suzanne is survived by her sons, Ethan and Timothy Guzewich; husband, Eric Guzewich; siblings, Donna (Rebecca) Tedesco, Theresa Tedesco, Lisa (Bob) Rice, and John F. Tedesco; parents, John and Susan Tedesco, of Sherburne; and honorary “daughter,” Julia Demeo.

With the challenges of the last couple of years, Suzanne was grateful for the surrounding love, laughter, companionship, and care by those closest to her. Suzanne embodied one of her favorite quotes – “Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know.”

A Mass of Christian Burial for Suzanne will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at the Church of St. Paul’s, 30 Pleasant Street, Norwich, where the Rev. Daniel Caughey, will officiate. A committal service will be held at the top of St. Paul’s Cemetery, Route 12 North, Norwich, on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 11:00 am. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home, 68 South Broad Street, Norwich, on Tuesday, March 7, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Words of remembrance will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Contributions in Suzanne’s memory may be made to the Norwich Family YMCA, 68 North Broad St, Norwich, NY 13815.