Susan J. (Base) Kaniewski

Susan Jane Kaniewski (nee Base), the woman who often threatened her children that they were going to miss her when she was gone, was proven correct when she passed away peacefully Saturday January 17, 2026, at age 78.

Susan was born in Darby, PA to her late parents Margaret (McKone) and Joseph Base. She was the eldest of six children and the self-proclaimed boss of her siblings Karen Steinberg (Samuel), Michael (Diane) (both deceased), Margaret McGinnis (Douglas), Kevin (James), and James Base.

She was a graduate of Archbishop Prendergast class of 1965 where she made many lifelong friends. Upon graduation Susan entered the workforce working as a bookkeeper. It was during her time at the Bulletin Newspaper that she met the love of her life Richard, the handsome yet quiet accountant with a pompadour. They wed in February 1971 and started their family. They had four children, Stephen (Patricia), Richard (Bridget), Maureen (Adam), and Kristin (William). It was then that Susan turned her focus on raising her children. She subscribed to the 70/80’s style of raising “feral” children who spent their time exploring the world around them. Her cooking was known for function over flavor, and her discipline was often backed up with the reasoning, “because I said so”. Her laugh was loud and infectious and more than a few times helped a lost child find their mom in a crowd. Her house was always open to family and friends and was often full of chaos. Susan enjoyed her bowling league and the friends she made at Sproul Lanes. She loved going down the shore and spending days on the beach with family. She was a fantastic traveler and always happy to be included in any trip, her favorite being Disney Cruises. 

Susan was predeceased in life by her parents, her brother, her husband Richard, and her granddaughter Maren Jane. She is survived by her children, their spouses and her grandchildren, Stephen, Ricky, Sophia, Deirdre, Billy, AJ, Naomi, Caleigh, Rachel, Lucas and Charlotte, plus many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Viewing Friday January 23, 2026, 6 pm, at O’Leary Funeral Home 640 E Springfield Road, Springfield PA, and Saturday January 24, 2026 9:30am Holy Cross Church, 651 E Springfield Road, Springfield, PA. Funeral Mass Saturday 10:30am in the Church. Int. SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in her memory to Maren’s Fierce Fighters via Venmo @marens-fierce-fighters or by check sent to 52 S. Forge Manor Drive, Phoenixville, PA 19460.

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