Susan C. Wittmer, beloved wife of Dr. Paul Wittmer, Overlook Drive, Canton, departed on August 24, 2017 at Cherry Brook Health Care Center in Canton. Born on September 1, 1932, in Danbury, Susan grew up in Watertown and received a fifth-year diploma in education and music from the University of Connecticut and a Masters Degree in Music from Columbia University. She is survived by three nieces and a nephew: Beth Gilbert Loughlin, Susan Gilbert Luchars, Jennifer Gilbert Delson and Christopher Gilbert.

An extremely talented musician, Susan’s life revolved around music and service to her community. For two decades, she taught children in grades kindergarten through high school in the public schools of Southbury, CT, Westbury, NY and Wheaton, IL. Operatically trained, her rich coloratura soprano voice enhanced many classical operas in New York City. She was the author of children’s operettas preformed in public schools. While still a student, Susan sang in the highly competitive Tanglewood Music Festival chorus under the leadership of Charles Munch and Leonard Bernstein. She enjoyed playing the organ, piano, violin, viola, guitar, and several woodwind instruments and served as concertmistress for Sol Solis, a community based orchestra.

Susan starred in performances of Canton Benefit Productions, a long noted theatrical and charitable group of musicians in the Canton area, and often conducted its orchestra and chorus. For four decades she served as Minister of Music in the Collinsville Congregational Church and was a leader in the Vacation Bible School.

In addition to teaching piano and voice privately, she found time for a decade of service as Director of Museum Aides in the Canton Historical Museum. She brought music to group homes and was the liaison between the Maxwell Shepherd Foundation, which has long favored Canton with performances by world class musicians, and the Collinsville Congregational Church, their favorite venue. She will be sorely missed by her church and community.

There are no calling hours. A memorial service with a reception to follow will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 9th at the Collinsville Congregational Church, 7 South Street in Collinsville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Music Fund at the Collinsville Congregational Church. The Vincent Funeral Home of Canton is caring for the arrangements.