Susan Garrigan-Brooks

East Greenbush - Susan Garrigan, AKA Susan Garrigan-Piela, Garrigan-Brooks, of East Greenbush died Friday December 11th, 2020 at age 63 after long fought illness. Born in Albany November 7th 1957 to Edward and Joan Garrigan of Rensselaer. Susan was proud to have graduated from Rensselaer High School and to have been on the cheerleading team as well as the track and field team. Susan received her BS at Russell Sage in Econ-Mgt, her MBA from Saint Rose, and took classes at RPI to work toward a PHD. Susan was a Professor of Economics at several local colleges, worked in finance and business administration for SUNY and RPI, as well as Homeless and Travelers Aid and other non-profits in her long career. Susan served her community in many capacities including as a member of the East Greenbush School Board from 2011 to 2015, and the East Greenbush Education Foundation for 20 years including time serving as president, and regularly attended district BRAC meetings. She was dedicated to her community and its students, always working to provide the most to them. She worked with several nonprofits in the community including the Friends of the Blue Gridiron and Friends of the Blue Grapplers, as well as the Theater committee and others. She was recognized in 2019 by the Rensselaer High School hall of fame for a lifetime of achievements and hard work. Susan loved to be in the outdoors and would start every day she could with a walk in the woods, especially with a dog by her side. She spent her time exploring the outdoors hiking, kayaking, and watching for wildlife at her pond. She loved her family very dearly, in particular her two sons who she was more than willing to brag about to whomever she met. She leaves behind her sons Sean and Alex; her mother Joan; her siblings, Ed and his wife Madeline, Michael, Maryalice, Marthanne and husband Gregory, and brother Andy and his wife Amy. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the W. J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave., Rensselaer, on Thursday, December 17, from 4 to 7pm. Masks are required. Social distancing and occupancy limitations will be observed. A Funeral Mass for Susan will be held on Friday, at 11am in Historic St. Mary’s Church on Capital Hill, Lodge St. Albany. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. Donations in lieu of flowers to the East Greenbush Education Foundation, Friends of the Blue Grapplers/Gridiron or another nonprofit that serves the students of East Greenbush would be appreciated.