Suellen Kozey McCuin, 49, of Essex, beloved wife of J. Scott McCuin of Essex and sister of Marilyn Abrahamsson of Old Lyme, passed away Friday, Aug. 21, with her family and friends at her side after an unexpected and brief illness. Her obituary states, “She was an outstanding leader in the fight to protect the 1,000 acre forest now known as “The Preserve” located in her childhood town of Old Saybrook and her current home in Essex.”
Her obituary also notes, “She graduated from Old Saybrook High School and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University. She was a parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Essex, CT. Suellen enjoyed a successful career in government affairs and was most recently Executive Director for the Connecticut Council of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.”
State Representative Philip Miller (D-36th) described her passing as, “A loss for everyone. One of the very best people I have ever known.”
He continued, “Of all of us who helped save the thousand acres, she is the only one of us who was indispensable. We could have never succeeded without her. Over the years, we had hundreds of phone calls and dozens of coffee conversations.”
Miller added, “She was an original, a deeply genuine, kind hearted person of great dignity. My heart aches for her family, especially Scott, Maddy, and little Owen. So many of us will miss our dear friend. She walks in the spirit world now. Gone but never to be forgotten.”
Calling hours for celebrating Ms. Kozey McCuin and her life will be at the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook on Friday, Aug. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. A mass service and reception will be held on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. in the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, 14 Prospect St., Essex. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kozey McCuin Children Education Fund, c/o Essex Savings Bank, PO Box 950, Essex, CT 06426, or The Old Saybrook Land Trust.