Susan Mochi Hecklau (Cottage21) passed away at her home in Clinton NY surrounded by family on April 1, 2023 Sue (Suzy) was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in August of 2022. Sue was a 5th generation cottager at Bruce Beach. The daughter of Jane Yates Mochi and Don Mochi, Granddaughter of Durward and Madelene Yates and great Granddaughter of Charles W. and Agnes Yates.
Sue made her first trip to Bruce Beach as a baby and managed to find her way back nearly every summer since. Sue established a long list of lifelong Bruce Beach friends that began in childhood and lasted through the years. She looked forward to friend reunions every year and made it a point to go cottage to cottage just to say hello. She looked forward to conversations on morning walks and bike rides with her friends. She often entertained guests on the front porch of the cottage for drinks and a long standing cottage tradition of serving Pine River cheese Triscuits and Ritz crackers. As a teenager Sue worked in the BB Clubhouse selling soda and candy to other kids and collecting golf and tennis dues. Sue was regularly found on the beach or the boathouse with her nose buried in a book, but always looking up to greet a passerby and say hello. Rain or shine, June or September Sue took a dip in the lake nearly every day. Sue was a regular at Sunday ball games using it as an opportunity to reconnect with friends and cheer on family members. Evenings before or after dinner there was always a family round of golf on the BB course. Saturday evening were reserved for the Kilties. Sue was known for her thoughtfulness. She always tried to visit people before she left the beach if for no other reason than to say she would see you next summer. Often dropping off a card or a box of cookies. In addition to the many friends she established at Bruce Beach Sue enjoyed the company of many Aunts, Uncles, Nephews and cousins as they shared time at her cottage and their own cottages at the beach.
Sue is survived by her immediate family John Hecklau , Emily Hecklau Linnan, and husband Ian, Sarah Hecklau Cotter and husband Gavin, Sam Hecklau and her brother David Mochi and grandsons Fin and Hatch Linnan. Aunts and Uncles David and Betty Yates, Susan and Hooks Johnston. Cousins Chip Babcock, Kathy Babcock, and Barbara Babcock Markarian, Hooks Johnston III (deceased) Amy Johnston Desel, Laura Johnston Simpson, Ted Yates, Robin Yates, Beth Yates, Tracey Yates Kikut, Ruth Maclean, Charles MacLean, Jean Maclean, Donna Maclean. Nephews Ben Mochi, and Jason Stanton.
A celebration of life is planned for sometime in the summer.
Donations can be made in Sue’s honor to the Church in the Grove.
The full obituary can be found here Susan Hecklau Obituary (1957 - 2023) - Legacy Remembers