Margaret "Sue" W. (Teets) Koch

Margaret "Sue" W. Koch of Newton Falls, loving sister, sister in-law, aunt, grand aunt and a friend passed away in Niles on October 12, 2019 at the age of 80.  She was born on August 31, 1939 to the late Harold and Wilma Teets in Tunnelton, WV.

Sue went to Cleveland upon graduation in 1957 and started a career in a bank as a secretary and then as a document preparer for a real estate company.  Unfortunately, she was forced to retire long before her time, for medical reasons.  She fought respiratory failures for many years, before receiving a heart and both lungs transplant in 1987.  Another transplant was required in 1998 as both kidneys were failing, a result of rejection of medication destroying the kidneys.

She was a fighter and when told that she would not be able to do something, the doctors did not realize that those were fighting words and proved them wrong all the time and recovery was much sooner than normal.  She gave her illness to God early on and was truly rewarded.  She did God’s work to her death and without question knew she would be with him. 

She was pianist at the Newton Falls United Methodist Church and worked tirelessly for missions, made and distributed 498 prayer shawls, helping in the kitchen and whatever was needed.  She visited with the elderly, played Mrs. Claus at nursing homes and participated in events where fun required a clown.  Guess who she was.  She taught a 99 year old woman how to knit and built a birdhouse with a stroke victim among many other things. 

She was diagnosed with a tumor on the pituitary gland and suffered a brain bleed the day after Thanksgiving in 2018 which caused a stroke.  She suffered four kidney infections along with sepsis.  Two falls caused two more brain bleeds and another stroke. 

The doctors could do no more and she passed at Continuing Healthcare of Niles in her assisted living apartment, surrounded by those who took care of her for the last eight months and her sister, Charlotte. 

The family is eternally grateful for her friends Norella Beatty, Becky Patshin, Penny Davidson and Rita Gardner who stepped in for her family as neither sister lived close by, making very frequent visits and assisted in moves.  The staff of Continuing Health Solutions re-hab and The Suites and Hospice of the Valley all made her last days comfortable. Words really can’t express the family’s gratitude.

She is survived by her sisters Charlotte Littlewood of Portsmouth, VA, and Alberta Dean Simpson and husband, Howard, of Englewood, OH, nephews Neal Simpson of Dayton, OH, Duane Simpson and wife, Kim and son, Nate of Louisville, KY, Mark Littlewood and wife, Nancy, daughters Heather Wojick and husband, Brad and son, Brooks of Charlotte, NC, Jill  (Littlewood) Burner, sons, Clay and wife, Jen and Brett of Fort Worth, Texas.

At her request, there will not be a service, but a graveside service will be held in WV.  Burial notice will be announced at a later date.

Donations would be welcomed at her church: Newton Falls United Methodist Church, 336 Ridge Road, Newton Falls, OH 44444.

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