Susan C. Maciorowski

With heavy hearts, we share with you the passing of Susan Carol (Nichols) Maciorowski of East Longmeadow, MA on September 1st, 2020. She passed, leaving us with the feelings of hope and positivity that she practiced during her battle with cancer.
   Sue may be gone but her legacy remains with us in the credits of many Disney films and publications she contributed to as an accomplished artist. Since she was eight years old, she knew she wanted to be a Disney artist and drew on sidewalks and walls and entered many contests. Her work can be seen in East Longmeadow town books and anniversary memorials. Her latest design was the seal commemorating the 125th anniversary of East Longmeadow.
   She graduated from East Longmeadow High School in 1983 leaving us with her artwork in the school yearbooks. The cover of her yearbook was her acrylic of the school’s mascot, The Spartan. She was a shy, behind the scenes type of person, who changed enormously when she was on stage performing in many plays put on by the school drama club.
   Sue graduated from California Institute of Arts with a visual animation degree in 1987. There she was part of a team that won an Emmy for work on The Muppet Babies. After graduation, Sue worked for Jim Henson on The Muppet Babies, Marvel production, and taught classes at CalArts. She then started her long career with Disney Studios working on animation films where she was best known for her expertise in character development. A few of her favorite works that she contributed to were Hercules, Beauty and the Beast, and the Princess and the Frog. More information on her career may be found on her website, Mothernichols.com.
   When returning to East Longmeadow and St. Michael’s parish, she never hesitated to lend her talents to helping others. Sue was an active member of the St. Michael’s Players by designing stage sets for production put on annually at the church hall. Her creativity could be seen every summer in decorating the church hall for St. Michael’s Bible Camp. She enjoyed encouraging the children to help her with the decorations so that they would be inspired to become artists and feel the joy of creativity.
   Sue will always be remembered in the hearts of those she left behind. Her devoted husband, Chester (JR) Maciorowski, who is the best thing that ever happened to her, a selfless caretaker to Sue as she went through her many years with cancer. Her children, Stephanie and Jonathan Maciorowski who gave her so many reasons to be proud. Her parents, Brian and Julie Nichols who celebrate her life with memories of her full and active youth that she shared with her siblings Mary Cole and husband James of Hamden, CT, Patricia Bleakney of Enfield, CT, John Nichols and Linda Nichols of East Longmeadow. Her eight nieces and nephews, Suzanna and Brenna Nichols; Daniel Cole; Brian and Bethany Bleakney; and Matthew, Nicholas, and Alexander Gay who will think of Aunt Sue whenever they recall their trips to Disneyland and Disney World and watch a Disney movie.
   This big, loving family has called her wife, mother, daughter, aunt, niece, and friend and will hold her smile and caring ways with them always.
   We would like to acknowledge her family of friends in California where she lived and worked for many years. Her special and dear friends Brenda and Kevin, Helen and Peter, Doug, and Eric and Susan.
   The Maciorowski family would like to thank Susan’s oncology team and all those at the D’Amour Cancer Center who cared for her. Susan’s diary of her long journey with cancer may be found on her website, Mothernichols.com.
   In lieu of flower, donations may be made in Susan’s name to the Rays of Hope at http://bayhf.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1160&pg=entry