Dr. Leone (February 6, 1945 – April 24, 2021)
It is with great sadness that we inform members of the Virginia counseling profession of the passing of Dr. Susan Leone, more affectionally known as “Suzee” to those who knew her. Former students, friends and colleagues will celebrate Suzee’s enormous accomplishments and contributions, and the kind and generous spirit with which she approached people.
The VCA Foundation remembers Dr. “Suzee” Leone as a distinguished leader in the Virginia Counselors Association; a generous supporter, Board member, and active participant in VCA Foundation; a counselor educator who was highly respected and admired by her peers and students; a dynamic advocate for counselors and a consummate professional who never stopped contributing to the counseling profession. But her greatest accomplishment was the kindness, personal warmth and good humor she generously shared with all she cared for deeply. We are all blessed who were fortunate to be able to call her Mom, or Grandma, or friend, or just “Suzee”. She will always be a lasting memory for so many.
Dr. Leone (1945-2021) was Professor Emeritus, retired from the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Counselor Education which she chaired. She served as president of the Virginia Counselors Association (VCA), the Virginia Elementary School Counselors Association (VESCA), the Richmond Area Counselors Association (RACA), the Virginia Association of Clinical Counselors (VACC) and Virginia Association for Ethical, Spiritual and Religious Values in Counseling (VASERVIC). For many years she lobbied for counselor licensure and elementary school counseling as the VCA Legislative Chair. She was a charter member of VASERVIC, the Virginia Association for Specialists in Group Work (VASGW), the Virginia Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, and the Virginia Alliance of School Counselors (VASC). She was past chair of the Virginia Board of Counseling and a former member of the Discipline, Credentials, and Executive committees.
Dr. Leone’s contributions to the VCA Foundation were enormous on many levels, from the infancy of the Foundation to the last 10 plus recent years when she served on the Board. She was VCA President-elect when the VCA Foundation was established in 1991. She continued to serve the Foundation “Ex-Officio” for the next 2 years as VCA President and Past President. In addition, she served on the VCAF Board in subsequent years for a 3 year term, and most recently for the last 10 years. More importantly, Dr. Leone championed all its activities, and was a generous donor to the Foundation. Most significantly, Dr. Leone shaped the scope and the depth of the Foundation Grants Program, giving shape to its direction and the breadth of the recipients the Grants Program served.
Her work experience included public school special education teaching and counseling and an independent counseling practice. Dr. Leone’s scholarly interests were in the areas of resilience, counseling ethics, group counseling, counseling history and professionalism, clinical supervision, and STEM careers.
To learn more about Suzee’s Life:
– Obituary – Richmond Times Dispatch , Legacy.com
– Caring Bridge
Tribute Video
Manny Bartolotta
President, VCA Foundation