Sister Susan (Colleen Marie) Hartman embraced death on December 22, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse, NY.  Sister Susan was 74 years of age and had labored in the vineyard of the Lord for 46 years.  She was born in Syracuse, NY to Robert H. Hartman and Mary Jankovitz Hartman and was a member of Holy Family Parish in Fairmount, NY.  Sister graduated from Blodgett Vocational High School.  Susan entered the Sisters of St. Francis in 1974 and received the habit in 1975.  She went to Maria Regina College and continued her education at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, earning her BA in Elementary Education.

     Sister Susan’s ministerial efforts were multifaceted.  She began educating children in elementary school at St. Daniel and St. James Schools in Syracuse, NY, and at Holy Family School in Fairmount, NY.  Sister moved on from teaching and because of her math ability, trustworthiness and attention to detail worked as a bookkeeper for both St. Daniel’s Parish in Syracuse and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica, NY.  From there, Sister turned her attention to the needs of run-away teens and served four years as Resident Advisor at Covenant House in New York City.  She then returned to Syracuse, ministering in the health field as Ward Secretary at Wilson Convent, Microfilm Clerk at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and Senior Companion/Receptionist at Catholic Charities.  Lastly, in 2014, Sister moved to the Franciscan Villa in Syracuse, NY, where she was a prayer minister.

     Sister Susan was a deeply religious, kind, quiet, gentle, unassuming person who now rests in the loving hands of God.

     Sister Susan was predeceased by her parents and her brother, John (Jane) Hartman.  She is survived by the Sisters of St. Francis, her sister, Donna (James) Chapman; a nephew and several cousins.

     A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Franciscan Villa Chapel, 6900 Buckley Road, Syracuse, NY  13212.  Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Congregational Development Office, 225 Greenfield Parkway, Suite 208, Liverpool, NY 13088.