Susan Nielsen, 72, of Sandy Hook, passed peacefully on December 21, 2023, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Philadelphia on August 6, 1951, to John and Helen Kane, Susan graduated Newtown High School in 1969, married and started a family.

As a young woman, Susan had a passion for drawing and photography. She loved to sketch and photograph her children. She had her own dark room to develop her beautiful photos.

Her love for people led her to the restaurant industry, where she worked in local establishments bartending and waitressing. In 1991, she married her soulmate Bill and at their home she could be found tirelessly tending to her flower gardens, feeding the chipmunks, and watching the hummingbirds.

In 1994, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of owning her own restaurant and opened the Inn at Falls Village, an old inn she transformed into a gorgeous fine dining restaurant.

After the birth of the first of six grandchildren, she closed the restaurant to be closer to her family. Returning to Newtown, she worked as a title searcher for a local lawyer.

She could always be found cheering on her grandchildren at their various sporting events with a goody bag of treats to share with the entire team, where she was known as Mimi to all.

She had such a fun-loving spirit, which people were drawn to, and as a result she was a collector of friends wherever she went.

Susan’s love for the sun and sand brought her to numerous beaches. A favorite local destination was Block Island, where she would rent houses over the years to enjoy with her children and grandchildren. Later in life she and Bill became snow birds, wintering in Florida.

Susan loved all animals, but especially dogs. She had many amazing dogs throughout her life and will be happily reunited with all of them.

Susan is survived by her husband Bill Nielsen, her children Rachel Dargenio and husband Joe, Jacob Miller and wife Rori, Sara Kasbarian and husband Bill; her grandchildren Cody (Shannon), Noah (Julie), Piper, Austin (Meaghan), Ayden, and Alexander; great-grandson Landen, and her brother Steve and family.

A private celebration of life will be held on a sunny day at the beach. If inclined, please donate to a cause near and dear to her heart. (vrcpitbull.com/how-you-can-help/donations/)