Susan "Sue" Knabbe Haug passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Born on May 21, 1951, to Bob and Nancy Knabbe, Sue was the oldest of three children. She grew up in Ghent, New York, alongside her two brothers, Bob and Mike, and graduated from Chatham High School in 1969.

Sue grew up surrounded by a large and loving extended family. Her mother, Nancy, was one of thirteen children, creating a close-knit network of aunts, uncles, and cousins who remained an important part of her life. Family gatherings were legendary, especially Thanksgiving celebrations in the Jones family. For many years, well over seventy family members would gather around tables filled with home-cooked dishes, all sitting down together to share a meal. These gatherings created cherished memories and instilled in Sue a deep appreciation for family, tradition, and togetherness that she carried throughout her life.

Sue proudly considered herself a "true Ghent kid" and maintained a deep connection to her hometown throughout her life. She cherished the friendships and memories she made growing up and always enjoyed sharing stories from her years in Columbia County.

In 1975, Sue moved to Staatsburg, New York, where she built a life centered on family, friendship, and caring for others. She worked for many years at the Hyde Park Grand Union before pursuing secretarial studies.

In 1989, Sue began a career at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park that would span more than 30 years. She started in the Financial Aid Office and later moved to the newly constructed Student Recreation Center. Throughout her time there, Sue became much more than an employee—she became a trusted mentor, friend, and "mom" to countless students she affectionately referred to as her "CIA kids."

Her kindness, compassion, and willingness to listen made a lasting impact on the lives of many students who were far from home. Whether offering encouragement, advice, or simply a welcoming smile, Sue had a special gift for making people feel seen, valued, and cared for.

Following her retirement from the Culinary Institute of America, Sue joined the Southlands Foundation in Rhinebeck, New York. She truly enjoyed the work she did and the many friendships she formed there, finding fulfillment in continuing to serve her community.

One of Sue's happiest memories was attending her 50th high school reunion, which she often described as one of the best nights of her life. Reconnecting with lifelong friends and reminiscing about years gone by brought her tremendous joy and reflected her appreciation for the relationships she nurtured throughout the years.

Sue and her husband, Tom, loved traveling together and embraced every opportunity for adventure. They especially enjoyed cruising and visiting ports of call throughout the Caribbean and beyond, creating lasting memories along the way. They also shared a love of NASCAR and traveled to race tracks across the country, combining their passion for racing with the excitement of exploring new places and meeting new people.

Nothing brought Sue greater joy than her family. She was especially proud of her twin granddaughters, Kyra and Sydney, who were the light of her life and meant everything to her. She treasured every opportunity to spend time with them, celebrate their accomplishments, and watch them grow. The love she had for her granddaughters was immeasurable, and they brought her endless happiness and pride.

Sue found great happiness in the simple pleasures of home. She took pride in creating a warm and welcoming place for family and friends and especially enjoyed spending time outdoors tending to her gardens. Whether planting flowers, caring for her yard, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature, gardening brought her peace, satisfaction, and joy.

Sue and Tom shared a lifelong love of animals and opened their home and hearts to many cherished dogs over the years, especially their beloved Dobermans and Dachshunds. Their pets were treasured members of the family, bringing companionship, laughter, and unconditional love.

Sue was predeceased by her parents, Bob and Nancy Knabbe.

She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her memory: her devoted husband, Tom; her daughters, Melissa (Keith) Crysler, Becky Holt (Shaun Sproul), and her cherished daughter, Carrie; her beloved granddaughters, Kyra and Sydney; her brothers, Bob (Joann) Knabbe and Mike (Laura) Knabbe; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Sue had a remarkable gift for keeping people in her life. Whether family, lifelong friends, classmates, coworkers, former students, or someone she met while traveling, the relationships she built were genuine and lasting. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and the love she so freely shared with everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Visitation will be held at Sweet's Funeral Home, 4365 Albany Post Rd. Hyde Park, NY 12538 on July 1st 2026 from 3pm to 5pm.

A celebration of Sue's life will be held at a later date, with details to be announced by the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Chatham Central School District

50 Woodbridge Avenue

Chatham, NY 12037

Memo: Nancy Knabbe Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was established in honor of Sue's mother on the occasion of her 80th birthday and is awarded annually to two deserving Chatham High School graduates.