Susan Coffaro

Susan Patricia Coffaro (nee Sonnleitner), affectionately known as Sue or Susie, age 64, of Neenah, passed away on December 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Sue was born on January 9, 1961 in Oshkosh, WI to the late Patricia Ann Cody and Eugene (Doc) Theodore Sonnleitner. She graduated from Oshkosh North High School in 1979 where she was on the cheerleading and gymnastics teams. Sue went on to graduate from UW-Oshkosh in 1983 and it is there, in a national marketing fraternity, that she met her husband of nearly 40 years, Peter Coffaro. They were married in 1985 at Sacred Heart in Oshkosh.

Beginning her career with Kinko’s Copies in 1986, Sue’s promotions within the company guided her family from Wauwatosa, WI to Northville, MI, and eventually to Littleton, CO, in 1997. This is where Sue and Pete would spend 21 years and raise their two children. In 1990, they adopted their son, Matthew, from Peru and three years later, adopted their daughter, Maria from Colombia. Her children were Sue’s pride and joy. She poured her heart into raising them and loved them with unwavering devotion. Her greatest fulfillment in life was being their mother.

In 2017, Sue and Pete moved back to Wisconsin. Shortly thereafter, Sue joined the LiveStrong program (workout classes for people battling cancer) at the YMCA where she made great friends and kept in shape. Outside of the Y, Sue loved to snuggle with her kitties, Hugo and Nala, have lunch with friends, attend Bible study at her parish, St. Margaret Mary, and spend time with loved ones. Her family might say her favorite hobby was recycling.

More than successful careers at Kinko’s, Dore Achievement Centers, & STAR Center, Sue will always be remembered for her kind smile. She had a rare gift for making others feel genuinely seen, as if the moment belonged entirely to them. People gravitated toward her not because she sought the spotlight, but because her compassion made room for them to be fully themselves. She saw each person as a child of God, worthy of dignity, respect, and love. Sue’s life was a quiet but powerful reminder that love becomes transformative when it is given freely, without judgment, and with the certainty that every soul carries its own sacred worth.

In her memory, may we honor her conviction to the Golden Rule—treat others as you wish to be treated—by offering one another the same grace and kindness she offered us.

Sue’s memory will always be cherished by Pete, Matthew, and Maria, as well as her siblings Jeff (Kim) Sonnleitner, Pam (Del) Canon, Kathy (Ken) Jenks, and Tracy (Larry) Norum.

Per Sue’s request, please wear a touch of pink to her Celebration of Life which will be held at 11:30AM on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 620 Division St., Neenah, with Fr. Nonito Barra officiating. Visitation at the church from 9:30AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church (439 Washington Ave, Neenah, WI 54956) or the American Cancer Society.