Obituary of Susan E. Balla

Susan Elizabeth (Watson) Balla, of Brookfield, beloved wife of Keith Robins Balla, went home to rest in Jesus’s arms on Friday, May 27th, 2022.  She was born in Danbury on July 21, 1952, daughter of the late Judge Robert K. Watson and Shirley (Dobson) Watson.    

Susan achieved an Associate Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology.  She also completed certification as a Paralegal, Notary Public, and a Pharmacy Tech.  She also enjoyed Biblical Studies. 

Susan worked as a Certified Nurses Aide, holding various nursing jobs in nursing homes, assisted living and locked Alzheimer’s Units and private duty.  She was a Home Health Aide with Ridgefield VNA.  She enjoyed 20 years of caring for the retired nuns with the Congregation of Notre Dame Sisters of the order of St. Marguerite.  She also worked for Visiting Angels Senior Living Services and Always Best Care as a CAN/HHA and social worker. 

She was an active member of St. Paul Episcopal Church in Brookfield where she enjoyed singing with the church choir. Serving as an usher, the Altar Guild, and was a part of the Prayer and Healing Ministry.  She was also a member of the Vestry of Saint Paul’s and designed a service for the public and preached on “It is Finished,” and served with the Ministry on Aging. 

Susan attended St. James in Danbury from the time of her Christening until 1969 and attended Colonial Baptist Church and Candlewood Baptist in the past. 

Susan’s devotion to the elderly led her to serve as Chairman of the Commission on Aging in Brookfield from 1999- 2006 and served again in 2015.  She produced a television seminar of speakers for elder issues and also designed seminars on many other issues.

She acted as Area Coordinator for Youth for Understanding International Student Exchange Program from 1992 – 2008.  She was the host mom of 16 students; from the countries of Scandinavia, Germany, Russia, Hungary, Denmark, Argentina, Brazil, Chili, and Japan.  She broke bread with a Russian General of the Afghanistan War. 

Susan lived her faith, and shared of herself in all that she did.  She touched the lives of the many. 

In addition to her beloved husband, Keith, she will be sadly missed by her sister, Carol and her husband, Dr. Arthur Waltman; her nieces, Adri and Ramsey Luhr, Katherine and Cory Gustafson; her grandnieces, Annabella, Anna, and Sofie; her grandnephew, Calvin; many cousins, and dear friends. 

Funeral Services will be celebrated on Friday, June 3rd at 10:00am at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Brookfield.  Burial will follow in Wooster Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends at the Brookfield Funeral Home on Thursday between the hours of 5:00 – 7:00pm. 

Memorial Contributions in her memory may be made to the Brookfield Fire Dept, Candlewood Company or the Brookfield Police Department.