In October 2010, all were saddened when we learned of the passing of Susan Cheffo. Susan was what some would call irreplaceable and unforgettable. As an adult with hearing loss, she was a bilateral cochlear implant user. Her impressive career as a Teacher of the Deaf, the Principal for the Nassau BOCES Program for Hearing and Vision, and the Educational Consultant for the Beth Israel/NYEE Cochlear Implant Center allowed her to use her personal experience and knowledge in changing the lives of numerous children with hearing loss.
Susan was an extraordinary human being who was instrumental in helping children succeed both academically and socially. In keeping Susan's dedication and spirit of meeting the needs of children with hearing loss, The Children's Hearing Institute has established THE SUSAN CHEFFO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP. This scholarship will be given to a hearing impaired student who will be attending college, determined to overcome the challenges of hearing loss and strives to achieve academic success.
Please contact Melissa Willis at 646-438-7819 or mwillis@nyee.edu for a copy of the scholarship guidelines and application. If you would like to donate to the Scholarship Fund in honor of Susan, please make checks payable to The Children's Hearing Institute and reference Scholarship Fund in the memo. You can also donate online by clicking on the box below.
Colleagues, friends, family and patients have contributed testimonials describing the impact that Susan had made on their lives:
Few people had the pleasure of working with Susan in as close confines as I did at Beth Israel. At any given point, there were as many of four of us-Susan, Lois Heymann, Rebecca Kooper, and me in an office the size of a broom closet. We were brought together by a vision Susan had for the Education Program. Little did I know that working in that room, with those women, at that time would provide me with some of the brightest moments and biggest laughs of my professional life.
Working with Susan meant you had to laugh- often, loudly and, many times, completely inappropriately. I am convinced that other people we worked with, including our boss, thought we weren’t working all that hard because of the peals of laughter that could be heard coming from the educators’ office. But we had to laugh. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Susan knows that laughter was part of the fabric of her personality-regardless of the seriousness of the topic. Susan’s sense of humor knew few boundaries- ranging from self-deprecating, to politically incorrect, to bawdy, to just plain silly.
Susan often used her own hearing loss and experiences to benefit the families at the Center, whether to prepare them for activation, to connect with a teenager worried about her hair being cut for surgery, or to reassure a family of a newly diagnosed infant that their baby would be okay. She particularly liked going to new schools to provide training. She would do her in-service discussing cochlear implant technology, environmental modifications and educational needs. Inevitably, a well-meaning but uniformed teacher or administrator would say that their student was just fine and didn’t need those things. Susan would say in that same sweet, girlish voice something to the effect of “I am sure it seems that way, but you’re wrong” and, with a giggle, she would pull off one of her implants, and casually say, “did I mention I am deaf, too, and use cochlear implants.” She had an amazing capacity to speak directly, candidly and pointedly in a way that drew people in, lowered their defenses, and convinced them to do the right thing. But, she also got a kick out of hearing the gasps of surprise when she took off her implant and announced she was deaf.
When I was pregnant, Susan and I worked in such close quarters that she probably knew I was pregnant before my husband did. She was also the person I would bounce everything off of- from my anxiety to pregnancy symptoms to possible baby names. She wanted to hear every little detail of my symptoms much the way 12 year olds like bodily function jokes. At one point, my husband and I were considering the name Serrin. Of course, I told Susan, to get another opinion. In her typical way, she commented that it was nice, like serendipity. Every morning after, and often through the day, she would ask how Serrin-dipity was feeling. After about a week of that, and with visions of Serrin-dipity being teased on the playground, we took that name off of our list.
Susan’s love of routine and love of a bargain were well known. She would get into a rut (to put it kindly) about what she would eat and it would last for months and months. The people at Starbucks would get her Venti Soy Latte-which she ordered every day for years-ready before she even had the chance to order. One day, though, she changed her order, telling the barista with a squeal of joy, that she discovered that a venti soy misto was $2 cheaper! Andif you were heading to Cosi, you knew to pick up a signature salad with light dressing.
While Susan often acknowledged the challenges she faced, in the same breath she would say how fortunate she was. Susan touched many lives in many ways. I am fortunate to be one of them.
I first met Susan Cheffo when I visited Nassau County BOCES in about 1990. She was the principal. She blew me away. She was smart, funny, compassionate, and loving to everyone she knew. I was amazed at how well she managed with a profound hearing loss and one cochlear implant. Our paths crossed again a few years later. After we started the Cochlear Implant Center at Beth Israel, we wanted to have a full time educator. When our first educator left NY, I began a frantic search for a replacement. We were lucky. Susan had just retired from BOCES and wanted another adventure. She joined the team and she was perfect. Not only an outstanding leader, but she became a dear, dear friend. During Susan’s tenure, the program grew from one teacher of the deaf to a staff of four. We had two teachers of the deaf and two educational audiologists who counseled families of newly diagnosed kids, helped families considering cochlear implants, went to schools and did trainings. Susan began Educators Conferences. She ran two each year, and her work made a major impact on how services were provided to children with hearing loss in the tri-state area. Susan knew what mattered to kids. She and her daughter started a series of music workshops to help kids with hearing loss understand music so they could participate with their peers in ordinary teen and tween activities.
Susan got her 2nd cochlear implant while she was working with us. I remember a day a few weeks after she was “turned on”. We were having lunch and I walked out into the hall and, forgetting her hearing loss, continued talking. All of a sudden we both realized that she was hearing me, something she had not been able to do with only one implant. We both shrieked with joy. Susan was able to use her hearing loss to show kids and parents what was possible. She was a shining example.
When Susan got sick and left our program it was a terrible loss to the program, to the families, to the staff, and to me. We were very lucky to have known her. She is missed.
Jane R. Madell, PhD
Pediatric Audiology Consultant
Jane@JaneMadell.com
Heads turned when Susan Cheffo entered a room. One was first struck by her crystal blue sparking eyes, the wild locks of curly hair and the strikingly stylish clothes. After first impressions, one was struck by Susan’s enthusiasm for all aspects of life, both professional and personal. If you met her at an Educators Conference at Beth Israel, you were struck by her zeal to make sure all children with hearing impairments have access to auditory information in the classroom. If you met her at a social event, you would be struck by her varied and unusual pastimes. She loved dog shows, mah jong, knitting, her gym class in Huntington, decorating her home, and movies (she could watch three in one day).
Susan’s professional accomplishments were impressive. She received a BS in Speech and Hearing from Boston University, an MS in Deaf Education from New York University, and certifications in School Administration and Supervision from Queens College.
Susan’s diverse career began at Mill Neck Manor as a teacher of the deaf in 1969. In 1972, she went to work at Nassau BOCES Program for the Hearing Impaired. There she developed her skills as an educator, and then as an administrator. As a teacher, she worked in many settings. First as a middle school classroom teacher and then as a teacher in the infant center. She later became a parent advisor in the infant center, traveling to the homes of infants enrolled in the program. As an advisor, she was extraordinary in helping parents understand how to advocate for their children. For many parents, Susan was the first person with a hearing impairment they had ever met and she instantly became a role model for many of them. During this time, she received certification from the Ski*Hi Institute to train teachers on use of a home-based early intervention model for families of deaf infants.
In 1996, Susan became the Principal of the Nassau BOCES Program for Hearing and Vision Services. Under her leadership, the program became nationally recognized, winning awards from the Long Island Speech-Language -Hearing Association as well as the New York State Speech Language- Hearing Association. While she was Principal, she was contacted by Josh Aronson, director of the Academy award nominated film, Sound and Fury. She gave permission for parts of that movie to be filmed at her school. She and many of her staff members were featured in this film that highlighted the controversy of cochlear implants at that time.
Susan’s journey into hearing loss began in her 20’s when she noticed that she was unable to localize sound. She began wearing hearing aids in her late 20’s but her hearing loss progressed at such a fast speed that it was difficult for her to adapt to her constantly changing hearing status. This was a challenging time for her as she was lost her ability to hear on the phone and had difficulty communicating during meetings and in large group settings. In her inimitable style, Susan faced this challenge with courage and enthusiasm and was determined to do whatever she could to succeed in a hearing world. During these years she married and had two children. To help her stay connected with sounds in her home (especially her husband and children), she had her house wired so that her lights would blink in response to a door bell or a telephone ring. Feeling this was not enough, she later applied and received a dog for the deaf. Sheba became her constant companion for a few years. She alerted Susan to her children’s calls for assistance as well as to sounds in her environment. As her hearing continued to deteriorate, she investigated the cochlear implant. She was first implanted in 1997. After a rocky beginning with her cochlear implant, her auditory skills progressed at a rapid rate. Despite the fact that she was doing so well, she wanted to maximize her skills and took part in the FDA clinical trial for a second implant. The second cochlear implant brought her to a new level of connectivity with the world.
After she retired from Nassau BOCES in 2002, Susan became the Coordinator of Educational Services at Beth Israel / NYEE Cochlear Implant Center. She was an inspirational leader for parents and educators. Since she personally understood the challenges of hearing loss, she wanted to make sure that children received every opportunity to reduce these obstacles in their lives, especially in school. She conducted workshops for parents and other professionals and everyone was always struck not only with her personal and professional knowledge of hearing loss, but also with her cheerfulness and passion for life.
In 2009, she faced her final challenge, a recurrence of cancer, again with courage and optimism. She volunteered for a clinical trial for a new treatment for ovarian cancer and, continued to contact professionals in the field to see if there was anything else that could help her. During her last few months, she still found joy in her life. She surrounded herself with her family and friends, continued redecorating her house, continued playing mah jong weekly and found pleasure in the beauty around her. At the sight of a beautiful bird or the blossoming of her much beloved flowers, she would call out to anyone around her to share the splendor.
Not only did she love beauty, but she contributed to the beauty of the world with her spirit, her humor and her love of life. For these qualities, she will be greatly missed.
I feel honored and privileged to know Susan not only as a teacher and educator but as a friend. Susan's knowledge, guidance and perseverance is the reason why not only Shelby, but all the BOCES kids are successful today. Looking at Susan, a hearing impaired person herself, and one could see how successful you can be, no disability getting in her way!! Susan took us under her wings the moment we came to BOCES. She not only had wonderful teachers, speech teachers and audiologists for our kids, she had a parent group for us. We became a family, a family that, thanks to Susan, continues to this day; a family that I am so proud and grateful to be a part of.
Susan was always there for me. A nervous mom who found out her child couldn't hear. Devastation for sure to any parent, but Susan was there to reassure me.... how truly fine Shelby would be. Susan brought technology to me (us). She made sure I knew about the latest advancements available. When it came time to look into a cochlear implant it was Susan that brought the idea and helped reassure me, yet again, it was the right thing to do. She made sure Shelby had the right guidance and education. She came to Shelby's school many times as her voice. She made sure that the media knew how successful "her" kids were, weather it was the media or newspapers, Shelby was a part of that too!! Susan had a cochlear implant herself after she saw how successful the kids were. I remember her saying "I can’t have my kids hearing better than me!!” Susan was a role model.....for all of us parents and our kids.
Of course I always felt a special bond with Susan. I feel she really took Shelby and me under her wings and guided us. She helped me realize how successful Shelby could be. She guided me to make sure I was doing all I could and made me a better person. Because Susan was a mom and had a daughter, she could relate to all the things I was going through, having been there herself. We were able to share things on a personnel level. There wasn't anything I wouldn't do for Susan. Because of Susan I want to help others, and give back some of the knowledge, warmth and guidance that Susan gave me.
Susan will always be in my heart, I will be forever grateful for all she has done for Shelby and me. For the friend she was, the teacher and mentor. She will be forever missed. She will always be my inspiration.
Linda, Lee and Shelby
The Vestrich Family
We first met Susan Cheffo when we found out that Brendan was deaf and the Boces program was recommended to us. Needless to say meeting such a positive person was exactly what we needed at what was a negative time for us. Her guidance, help, encouragement and “cheerleading” for our family and for Brendan especially was invaluable over the years. As principal, advisor, advocate and friend Susan was always there for us and we will truly miss her. On a personal note, I looked forward to every meeting with Susan because I couldn’t wait to see what she was wearing! Susan always, always, always had the coolest shoes!!!
In October 2010, all were saddened when we learned of the passing of Susan Cheffo. Susan was what some would call irreplaceable and unforgettable. As an adult with hearing loss, she was a bilateral cochlear implant user. Her impressive career as a Teacher of the Deaf, the Principal for the Nassau BOCES Program for Hearing and Vision, and the Educational Consultant for the Beth Israel/NYEE Cochlear Implant Center allowed her to use her personal experience and knowledge in changing the lives of numerous children with hearing loss. 
