Susan Cooley Sarbin (née Challman), 88, of New York City entered into rest in Middletown, New York on 5/8/2025. 

Born in Hennepin, Minnesota, Susan was the daughter of renowned psychiatrist Dr. Alan Challman and Nelda Livingston Challman, a Red Cross nurse and artist.

In college, Susan was an ardent song leader and member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She received her BA in Physical Education from UCLA in 1958. 

Susan married John B. Cooley of La Cañada, California in 1959.  They lived in California, followed by New York City and Aspen, Colorado. After divorcing in 1968, Susan moved back to New York City with their daughter, Caroline.

Susan met Hershel Sarbin when they both worked at Ziff-Davis Publishing Company. They married in 1973, and resided in NYC, and at different times had residences in Pawling, Bedford, and Larchmont, NY.

At the Isabel O’Neil Studio, Susan mastered the art of the painted finish and earned her Journeyman Certificate. She was a member of the Garden Conservancy, loved to cook, garden, swim, travel, and take French lessons at the Alliance Français. As a balletomane, Susan avidly supported the New York City Ballet, and regularly attended performances with friends from Ballet Academy East. She continued to dance at BAE until she was 80. 

Preceded in death by her husband Hershel, Susan is survived by her daughter, Caroline Cooley Hampe, her son-in-law, Charles T. Hampe, and her two grandsons.

A Requiem Mass will be held 11AM on Friday, May 16th at St. Joseph Church, 113 Cottage Street, Middletown, NY 10940. The burial will take place privately.

If you would like to make a donation in Susan’s memory, please consider the New York City Ballet, New York Botanical Gardens, Garden Conservancy, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.