Susan "Susie" Karas Horstman

It is with great sadness that the family of Susie Horstman announces her passing on June 26, 2018. Susie, 53, died peacefully at her home in Great Falls, VA with her loved ones at her side. Having been diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, she faced the battle with grace, courage, and determination. An inspiration to us all, Susie was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and cherished friend to many. She’ll forever be remembered for her love of travel, generous spirit, devotion to family and her quick wit. Born on October 28, 1964 in Buffalo, NY, Susie was a graduate of Amherst High School and earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, IN. Upon graduation, she called the metro Washington, DC area home for over three decades where she had a variety of career experiences including working in the White House for both the Ronald W. Reagan and George H.W. Bush Presidential administrations, the Office of U.S. Senator Alfonse M. D’Amato, and as Director of Corporate Fundraising at the USO. Susie is survived by her beloved husband of 21 years, Greg Horstman, two sons, Matthew (Purdue University ‘22) and William, and daughter, Natalie. She is also survived by her father, Michael V. Karas, Jr., of Naples, FL, her three siblings, Paul B. Karas (Donna) of Amherst, NY, Michael V. Karas, III (Janet) of Eden Prairie, MN, Bruce A. Karas (Kathy) of Clarence, NY, and several nieces and nephews. Susie was predeceased by her mother Loretta C. Karas and sister Ann Karas. The family will receive friends at the Amigone Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel, 5200 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, NY for a visitation on July 2nd from 4:00 to 8:00PM. A mass will be held on July 3rd at Saint Mary’s Church, 6919 Transit Rd., East Amherst, NY at 10:00AM followed by a Committal Service at St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Cemetery. A Memorial Mass will be held for her at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, VA on Saturday, July 28th at 11:00AM. Memorial donations in her name may be directed to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (ovarian.org)