Susan Malia Walker, 68, passed away on Thursday (September 10, 2026) at home following a lengthy illness.
Susan was born on February 16, 1958 in Johnson City to Richard A. and Dorothy (Delany) Thomson. She was a 1976 graduate of Richfield Springs Central School. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Marketing and Public Relations from Syracuse University and went on to receive her Masters of Science in Mathematics Education from Alfred University in 1986. She met her future husband, Stephen A. Walker, while a student at Syracuse University and they were married on July 10, 1981 at the Andover Presbyterian Church.
Sue helped her husband with his jewelry business, Walker Metalsmiths, from its establishment in 1984. During the 1990s she was also a mathematics instructor at Alfred State College before joining Walker Metalsmiths full-time as the business manager in 1997.
Nothing brought Sue more joy than her children and grandchildren. In the early years the family camped in the Adirondacks at Eighth Lake, and later spent many days at Keuka Lake as the family grew. At home there were impromptu baking sessions and craft projects with the grandkids, a seat at every sporting event and concert, jigsaw puzzles at the holidays, and always a generous supply of lollipops and candy to spoil any grandchild who needed spoiling.
Sue loved working alongside her husband in the family business and their daily lunches together. They made many trips to Ireland and Scotland, where Steve researched Celtic art and Sue took in the sights. Sue was intelligent and astute, frugal but generous, strong-willed and steady in her convictions. She was very community-minded. She served on the Andover Central School Board for 21 years, many of them as its president and was a longtime member of the Andover Presbyterian Church, serving as an elder and as treasurer.
In addition to her husband of 45 years, Susan is survived by six children, Andrew (Justinn) Walker of Brattleboro, VT, Jeanne (AJ) Todd of Andover, Maggie (Eric) Miller of Corning, Donald (Mercy) Walker of Lansing, Will (Bryn) Walker of Medford, MA and Stephen (Abby) Walker of Corning; five siblings, Donna Satterlee, Kevin Thomson, Pam Mikels, Jonathan Thomson and Christopher Thomson; 12 grandchildren, Sylvia Walker, AJ Walker, Mason Walker, Philex Walker, David Walker, Betty Todd, Daisy Todd, Malia Todd, Madeleine Miller, Declan Miller, Maxwell Miller and Arlo Walker; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her parents; an infant daughter, Barbara Irene Walker; and four siblings, Richard Thomson, James Thomson, Joan Tucker and Holly Neuffer.
There will be a time of visitation on Sunday (September 13) from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at 25 E. Greenwood Street in Andover. The memorial service will be held on Monday (September 14) at 11:00 a.m. at the Andover Presbyterian Church with Rev. Christian Mattison officiating. Her ashes will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery in Andover beside her daughter.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. Online condolences may be offered at www.baker-swan.com.
Memorial contributions in Sue’s name may be made to Allegany County Cancer Services, P. O. Box 534, Wellsville, NY 14895 or Andover Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc., P. O. Box 726, Andover, NY 14806. © 2026 Baker-Swan Funeral Home.
