Suzanne N. Piper

COLEBROOK– Suzanne N. Piper, 81, of Colebrook, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, with her step-daughter, Sally Hodge at her side, and after a long period of declining health. She was born in Waterbury, Conn., on Dec. 31, 1943, a daughter to the late David and Eleanor (Greatorex) Grenier, and she was a sister to the late Timothy and Joel Grenier. She grew up in Plymouth, Conn., with four brothers and two very hard-working, spiritual, and loving parents. She was very close to her brother, Joel, throughout her life. As children, they lived for a time on the shore of a lake in Plymouth. Sue and her brother, Stephen, were very competitive and she could always beat him at ice skating and swimming. She also would win at card games all the time. She graduated from high school in Terryville, Conn., and later moved to Derry, N.H., and married Chap Applebee. They soon had two beautiful daughters, Deborah and Diane. Suzanne loved to cook and canned all her own vegetables that she grew on her own land; and she was a fine homemaker with a small hobby farm on the side. She and Chap worked in the woods, as well, and cut and split firewood for themselves and sold some on the side. As her sister-in-law, Cindy, has said, “She was always a very strong and hard-working woman.” During her time in Derry, Sue also worked as a counselor with those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Sue’s journey in life later brought her to Colebrook with her second husband, Alan Piper. They built a log cabin on East Colebrook Road, which remained her home for the rest of her life. She worked as a school bus driver for Nugent Motor Co. for many years, and made life-long friends with Peter and Gail Nugent, and her co-worker, Lucille King. Sue always enjoyed herself by going to the Colebrook House of Pizza, hanging out with Lucille and her daughter, Cindy, and other regulars. They would also go to the Wilderness Restaurant for coffee and doughnuts and to visit with Teri Ladd-Haynes. Sue had a big heart and always found time to help others, and she was a foster mother for many years. She helped raise her grandson, Daniel Applebee, who stayed with her through his high school years and was the “apple of her eye.” After the passing of Alan, Sue then found her true companion, Robert. They had many enjoyable times together, and with Robert’s children and grandchildren. Sue always had a deep love for animals, especially her cats and dogs. She had a few pugs and a very special beagle named Molly, a surprise gift from Robert. That puppy was so spoiled by both of them, and even had a special place in the middle of the bed. During the last two years, Sue enjoyed playing hands of Rummy and having pizza nights with Sally and Rusty. She also enjoyed word search puzzles and coloring in her adult art books. She is survived by her two daughters, Deborah Applebee Gonzales and Diane Applebee, both of Texas; two brothers, Steven (Phyllis) Grenier and David (Nancy) Grenier; a sister-in-law, Cindy Grenier; two grandchildren, Tammy and Daniel Applebee; as well as many other loved ones. Calling hours will be on Thursday evening, Oct. 16, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A graveside interment service will be held the next morning, Friday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. in the Colebrook Village Cemetery. A luncheon reception will immediately follow at the Mohawk Grange hall on East Colebrook Road. The family wishes to thank the North Country Home Health & Hospice team for the help that they provided in her final weeks. Sue truly appreciated the care and time they all took to visit her. Thanks also go to a very special volunteer, Becky, who provided care and comfort. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Suzanne N. Piper

December 31, 1943 - October 11, 2025