| Date of Birth | March 30, 1938 |
| Passed Away | July 25, 2026 |
| Place of Residence | Hornell |
| Home State | New York |
| Service Date | August 1, 2026 |
| Service Time | 10:00 AM |
| Service Location | St. Ann's Church |
| Interment Location | St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Fremont |
HORNELL – Susan (McKay) Argentieri entered into eternal rest on Saturday (July 25, 2026), after a brief illness. She passed peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family and lifelong friends.
Susan was born on March 30, 1938. She was the daughter of Catherine Coston McKay and Gerald McKay. She was predeceased by her parents; brothers James and John McKay; and her beloved husband Walter Argentieri, to whom she was married for 56 years. They were married at St. Ann’s Church in Hornell, NY, on October 24, 1959.
She is survived by her children Lisa (Keith) Oley, Gina (Jim) Speedy, Toni (Rick) DeLettera, and Walter (Stephanie) Argentieri; her sister Kathy Zeiwfel; sisters‑in‑law Jean McKay, Doris (Robert) Kaplan, JoAnn Argentieri, and Peggy Creagan, ten grandchildren Amanda (Jamie) Gill, Vincent (Nicole) Oley, Nicholas (Bobbie Lou) Oley, Jimmy Speedy, Jacob (Breanna) Speedy, Catherine (David) Burke, Joseph DeLettera, Sam (Bethany) Argentieri, and Ava and Lia Argentieri; and seven great‑grandchildren George, Arthur, Evelyn and Zella Oley, Sadie Gill, Mason Argentieri, and Michael Speedy. Among those who will miss her most is her beloved best friend and neighbor of more than 50 years, Ann Hoeffner. Their enduring friendship was a source of love, laughter, and unwavering support throughout the years. Susan will also be remembered by her nieces and nephews, and her bonus grandchildren Colin, Conor and Caitlin.
A 1956 graduate of Hornell High School, Susan was a three‑year cheerleader and active on the Forensics team, where she hosted a Saturday radio show. During her senior year, she worked at Card’s Drug and Norbert’s Jeweler. She graduated from Erie Technical College in 1958 with a degree in Dental Hygiene alongside her longtime friend Carol Stevens (Butchie).
Susan worked for many years as a dental hygienist in the school system and in private practice, later semi‑retiring from Dr. Pearson’s office and working part time for Dr. Howewell. She also worked in catering at Alfred State College.
Active in her community, Susan was a longtime supporter of the Democratic Party, a proud and visible presence at election time. She served three years as President of the Hornell Alumni Association, where she held an honorary lifetime membership. Along with Matt DeGaetano and Alberta Dugo Cleveland, she helped start the Alumni Newsletter and served as one of its first editors. She was also a member of the Ladies of Sons of Italy. A member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Susan was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell and was also a member of the Alpha Zeta Beta (AZB) Sorority.
Susan was known for her festive holiday decorations, warm family dinners always finished with a homemade dessert, and devoted presence at her grandchildren’s sports, chorus concerts, and school events. Grandchildren always left with a treat to take home, and they could count on holiday and birthday cards from their Uey — she often mailed gifts “just because.”
Susan’s family and friends will remember her warm hospitality, her deep love of family, and the traditions she lovingly carried on through the years. She found great joy in caring for her children and grandchildren, and she was always the first to offer to babysit whenever her children took a well-deserved vacation. Her beautiful gardens were a reflection of her nurturing spirit and brought her immense pride and happiness, just as they brought beauty to everyone who visited.
When God blessed us with you, it was the luckiest day of our lives. Your love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to your family will remain in our hearts forever.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to her caregivers that provided Susan with respectful and loving care during her illness.
Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. FRIDAY (July 31, 2026) at the Bishop-Johnson & Desanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join her family at St. Ann’s Church, 35 Erie Ave., Hornell, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. SATURDAY (Aug. 1, 2026) Private committal prayers and interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
The livestream of Susan’s funeral mass and graveside service can be viewed here.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute to the Hornell High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or CareFirst NY, 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home and church.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Susan’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Susan are welcome below, or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
I am saddened to hear of this. She was a friend of the family since before she and Walt married. She was beautiful and such a kind-hearted woman. So caring and such a lovely personality.
Many prayers and blessings to her wonderful family!
How Susan be missed by my entire family and me… My memories are many and fond which span pretty much my entire life as she was like a second mom to me.
But what stands out to me most is her unwavering love and pride she had for her family and as a community leader doing gods busy work to help a friend in need whether it was driving to help out for a funeral or making a meal or treat for someone in need to lighten their load. The world would be a better place if there were more people like Susan Argentieri
Rest in peace and there will not be a time that when I sit on a porch I will not think of you with love and fondness in my heart.❤️
Susan A very special friend for well over 50 years. I will always remember her smile , her sense of humor and above all her kindness. Spent many happy times with her and Big Walter, the laughs, the joy will always be remembered. Rest in Peace.
I am holding the entire extended Argentieri family close to my heart. Susan was the mother/grandmother everyone loved and wanted to be! She will be greatly missed. May you all find peace and comfort in her enduring love and memories. God Bless!
With love ~Crystal Goodwin
My sincere sympathy to all of you, I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve known your mom for many years and have always enjoyed conversing with her..such a great person, she will be missed. Walt, sending love to you. May God bless you.🙏❤️
“… now at last they were begining Chapter one of the Great Story , no one else on Earth has ever read, which goes on forever, in which every chapter is better than the one before.” CS Lewis; The Last Battle, Chronicles of Narnia Peace be with you!
susan was one of my first clients in Hornell when I became a hairdresser, one of my many professions over the years. I remember her bringing the kids for haircuts, especially little Walt. Always had lots of laughs and I remember her at HHS reunion times when I did attend. She was an amazing presence anywhere she went. While my first husband and I lived in the area it was always fun to run into Susan. My sympathies to all her children and their children as well. Now retired from teaching and living in East Aurora I still get news from Hornell. Always welcome!
I will keep you all in my heart and hope the days head can eventually become easier.
Susan was one of my first clients when i became a hairdresser. I remember cutting all the kids hair as well, especially Little Walt. What fun.
She was such a presence, full of life and always fun to spend time with. My sympathy goes out to all her family. I will hold her in my heart and be thinking of all of you as you travel this road. Now that I live in East Aurora I always welcome news from hornell, my home town. This news not so much.
Take care of each other and know so many people loved your Mom. She was one of a kind.
We had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Susan at the bridal shower and wedding of her granddaughter and our beautiful daughter in law, Catherine. Susan (Uey) was so lovely. It was very evident how loved she was by her family. Our condolences to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Toni,
My heart is with you your family and sibling’s during this difficult time. Your mom was such a beautiful person—always smiling, so warm and welcoming. I’m grateful we got to spend time with her at Catie’s wedding. She may not have remembered our names, but she always knew we were your Alfred besties—and that was enough for her – she had a way of making people feel seen and cared for, and that’s something truly special❣️Sending you much love and strength. ❤️