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Susan Ann Kalkhof Vitron Massey, Kennedy NY Registered Nurse, Nursing School Instructor and Director, Community Volunteer

They say angels walk among us. On Monday, July 26, 2021, our very own angel took wing. Our beloved Susan Ann Kalkhof Vitron Massey left this world peacefully in the presence of family and dear friends.

Susan was born in Erie on June 10, 1949, to Dr. Thomas and Mary Elizabeth Kalkhof. The second of seven children. Sue grew up in Lawrence Park, helping to raise her siblings from the age of seven, fol-lowing the death of her mother. She graduated from Iroquois High School.

Sue’s career in health care began as a “candy-striper” in the family nursing home, moving on to nursing assistant, ultimately graduating from Penn State University with a nursing degree. She served as a registered nurse for several years before earning her Masters of Nursing degree from Edinboro University. Thus began an illustrious 35 year tenure teaching thousands of future nurses. The crown jewel of Sue’s career was the establishment of the Mercyhurst University School of Nursing, and securing full accreditation for the program, where she held the position of assistant professor and director of nursing.

Following her marriage to Chuck, Susan relocated to Western New York, where she joined the staff at Jamestown Community College as a nursing instructor, retiring in 2010. Chuck and Sue enjoyed riding motorcycles, traveling throughout the Eastern United States in their fifth wheel camper, making many close friends along the way.

Susan’s greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren at their mountain top home. Al-ways passionate about helping others as evidenced by her nursing and teaching, she was also an active member of CRECHE.

Sue is survived by her loving husband, Charles Massey; her three sons: Bryan (Jennifer) Vitron of Independence, Ohio, Aaron (William Lamberton) Vi-tron of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Stephen (Nicole) Vitron of Leesburg, Fla.; two grandchildren: Jacob and Zefram; two stepchildren: Nathan Massey of Marysville, Ohio and Sarah O’Donnell of St. Louis, Mo,; five siblings: Thomas Kalkhof of Erie, Pa., Patricia Kalkhof of Newport Coast, Calif., Christopher (Anne Marie) Kalkhof of Williamsville, N.Y., Connie (Larry) Meginnis of Erie, Pa., and Craig (Crystal) Kalkhof of Sheffield, Pa.; in-laws, Daniel (Cindy) Massey of Jamestown, N.Y., Barbara (Erwin) Schlagenhauf of Ware Shoals, S.C., and Sylvia (John) Conti of Lawrenceburg, Ky,; and several nieces, nephews, students, and many, many friends, especially her “Card Club” girls who have loved and supported each other for more than 40 years.

In addition to her parents, Susan was preceded in death by her step-mother, Constance Kalkhof; brother, Mark Kalkhof; brother-in-law, Harold “Herb” Massey; and her beloved grandson, Benjamin Vitron.

Friends may call at the Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Road, Erie, Pa., on Friday from 2-4 and 6 -8 p.m. Further visitation will be held at the Cathedral of St. Paul Episcopal, 134 West 7th St.,, Erie, Pa., on Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m., conducted by Sue’s pastor, The Rev. Luke Fodor. A private interment will be held at Allen Cemetery in Jamestown, N.Y., at the convenience of Sue’s family.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions may be made in Susan’s name to Mercyhurst University School of Nursing, 501 East 38th Street, Erie, PA 16546 or Jamestown Community College Nursing Program, 525 Falconer Street, Jamestown, NY 14702, or St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 410 N. Main Street, Jamestown, NY 14701.