Susan A Garlow

Susan Anne Garlow (affectionately known as Sue to family and friends), age 66, of Contoocook, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully in her home on July 4, 2025, with her immediate family by her side. Sue was “Garlow Strong” and fought a courageous, 12-year battle with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare form of liver cancer. Sue was born on November 10, 1958, in Westwood, New Jersey to George T. Giannetti Jr. and Rosalie F. "Cookie" (Bederka) Giannetti, the second of five children. Sue was the loving wife of Arthur Garlow (71) for 40 years and mother of two children, Rosalie (38) and Nicholas (36). Sue was preceded in death by her parents, George and Rosalie Giannetti and her brother Tony.

Sue graduated from Marlborough High School in New Hampshire in 1976 and met her husband, Arthur, while waitressing in Marlborough, New Hampshire. Sue’s professional career spanned roles in customer service, politics, and education. She was proud to have worked in the New Hampshire State House for two Governors and as a legal secretary for a law firm in Concord. Sue finished her career as a paraprofessional and behavioral assistant, working for the Hopkinton School District for nearly twenty years from 1998 to 2017. Sue worked in the student support center at the Maple Street School while building loving friendships with those she worked with and also serving as a crossing guard in the mornings and afternoons. Sue made meaningful connections with everyone who entered her professional and personal life.

Sue was an avid runner, a marathon and half marathon finisher, and a diehard New England Patriots fan. She loved to read, write personal notes, listen to music, and choose a daily “angel card” to guide her through each and every day. Sue loved spending time with her family and friends on the hiking trail, at the ocean, and most of all on family vacations at the lake in Pittsburg, New Hampshire. Sue loved the sounds of her favorite country music artists, a glass of pinot grigio, sunflowers and tulips, and the hummingbirds that frequented the backyard of her home in Contoocook.

Sue was an inspiration to everyone in her life for her bravery in fighting her cancer diagnosis for 12 years and living life to the fullest. Sue's cancer diagnosis did not stop her and her family and friends from continuing to make memories and their love for each other only grew stronger through it all.

In lieu of flowers, the Garlow family kindly encourages friends and loved ones to make a donation in Sue’s name and honor to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, a global non-profit organization whose mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for patients with the disease. You can visit Sue’s memorial page and read more about her brave fight with the disease at https://give.cholangiocarcinoma.org/SusanGarlow 

Calling hours will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025, from 4:00pm to 7:00PM at the Cremation Society of New Hampshire at 172 King Street, Boscawen, NH 03303.