Susan A. Frank Ochreiter Rutchauskas

Susan A. Frank Ochreiter Rutchauskas, 76, passed away at her home in Shavertown on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving husband and daughters.The daughter of Carl G. and Elizabeth Farrell Frank, Susan was born on March 27, 1949, in Wilkes-Barre. She graduated from St. Nicholas High School in 1967 and earned a bachelor's degree in business from College Misericordia and Masters in Counseling from Marywood University.

A lifelong educator and counselor, Susan was beloved by both students and colleagues. Her kindness, care, and generosity extended well beyond the classroom. Susan took an interest in her students' lives, encouraging them to persist despite challenges. While at the Luzerne Intermediate Unit, she worked on Project MOM, helping teen parents earn their degrees. Until her retirement in 2009, Susan taught at E.L. Meyers High School.

A loving wife and mother, a dear friend to her siblings, Susan always saw the best in others and demonstrated courage and resilience after losing her first husband Robert Ochreiter, maintaining a positive outlook for her daughters. She was an avid gardener, an expert seamstress, and a fun dance and travel partner to her second husband Tony. Susan's love, wisdom, and joy for life extended beyond family to all who were fortunate enough to know her.

She is survived by her husband Anthony Rutchauskas; daughters, Attorney Kelly M. Ciravolo and her husband, Scott, and their children, Gemma, Tuula, and Bruno; Dr. Leslie A. Ochreiter and her children, Luke and Violet Hartley; step-son, Jason Rutchauskas and his wife, Alejandra, and their children Makayla, McLean, and McCoy Rutchauskas.

She is also survived by her siblings: Dr. Ann M. Kolanowski, Karen L. Bird (David), Mary E. Pape, Attorney Carl N. Frank (Jane), Richard M. Frank (Janice), Terese M. Rogers, Michael F. Frank (Susan), Alice M. Foley (Kevin, CPA), and Heidi M. Bertram (David), brother-in-law, Joseph Rutchauskas (Nancy), and sister-in-law Ann Marie Sheplock (Jerry). Susan is remembered fondly by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved very much.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert J. Ochreiter, brothers-in-law, Leon Kolanowski, John Mooney, Leo Ochreiter, Fred Pape, and Attorney Donald T. Rogers, sister-in-law Phyllis Rutchauskas, and nephews, Mark Kolanowski and John Richards.

A celebration of Susan's life will take place on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 10 AM in the Church of Saint Nicholas, 226 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that monetary donations be made to Dress for Success, 38 West Market Street, Wilkes-Barre.

Share memories and condolences with Susan's family at mjmclaughlin.com