Susan Carol Cesen

Susan Carol Cesen, 75, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Chandler, Arizona, surrounded by her loving husband and children. Born Susan Weaver on March 19, 1950, in Dayton, Ohio, she lived in various spots throughout her childhood including Maryland and Pennsylvania. She graduated from Rocky River High School in Rocky River, Ohio, in 1968 and went on to attend Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1972. More importantly, while attending BGSU, she met the love of her life, Dennis J. Cesen. They married in 1974 and while living in Rhode Island in 1978, they were joined by their daughter, Pam. The small family moved to Texas, and were blessed by the arrival of their son, Scott, in 1980. The Cesen family moved to Simsbury, Connecticut, in 1992, where they built many amazing memories together. Susan and Dennis relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, in 2003.

Susan worked much of her adult life as an office administrator and as a (fairly reluctant) entrepreneur. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dennis; daughter, Pamela Alley; son, Scott, daughter-in-law, Leslie, and grandsons Parker and Blake; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bruce and Cindy Cesen; siblings, Jim and Jane Weaver, Melinda Daigle, Stephanie Weaver and Bob Brasich, and David Weaver and Robbi Ramseur; and a host of many amazing cousins, nieces, and nephews. Susan was preceded in death by parents-in-law, Gus and Babe Cesen, her parents, and a small menagerie of cats and dogs. Susan’s body gave her many challenges throughout her adult life, and she joked she was on “God’s catch and release program.” Following a traumatic brain injury in late 2018, Susan became a full-time wheelchair user and experienced daily, unconditional love as Dennis, her dear partner and husband became her devoted caregiver. While she was frustrated by the changes in her body, she never stopped displaying grit, determination, and perseverance.

Susan had an incredible sense of humor, quick and sarcastic wit, and a true zeal for life. She was an avid reader, talented arts and crafts maker, knitter, traveler, and feng shui afficionado. Her favorite things included chocolates; black licorice; sudoku; Dunkin’s iced coffee; the Red Sox (she was beside herself with joy when the curse was reversed in 2004); browsing consignment and thrift stores; watching murder mysteries, Top Chef, Project Runway, police dramas, and the Great British Bakeoff; women’s sports (especially the UCONN ladies huskies); and Trader Joe’s (especially her beloved wine country chicken salad, which has seen a significant drop in sales since her passing). She was a tough audience for those who tried to make her laugh (often failing), but when she did laugh it was genuine, contagious, and filled the room. She had no problem telling people what she didn’t like or appreciate, among them the New York Yankees and a handful of US Presidents. More than anything, she loved her children, grandchildren, family, and most of all, her adoring husband Dennis. Susan loved to practice random acts of kindness for others, and we ask that you consider doing the same in her honor. We will remember her always.

Visitation will occur on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm and will be followed by a memorial service in her honor at 2:30 pm. Both events will occur at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, Arizona, 85018.