Susan Molly Arnold Wheeler

Susan Molly Arnold Wheeler passed away unexpectedly at dawn on Monday May 10th, due to complications from a heart attack. She had just finished competing in a horse show in Stillwater, NY, and jumped her last jump. Susan was born in Millbrook, New York, to Henry & Elsie Arnold. Her early years were spent in Millbrook and Dover Plains where her father owned a large cattle farm. She and her sister had their first horses there and years of Pony Club Riding. Susan graduated from Dover Junior - Senior High and went on to Bennett College where she majored in French Studies. Throughout her early years Susan was a devoted equestrian competing in horse shows, fox hunting and became the Junior Whip at the Millbrook Hunt Club. Horses were a passion for Susan and her love for them accompanied her throughout her life, to the very end. Life would take Susan to live in Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, the South of France, Santa Barbara and finally to Manchester, Vermont where she settled. She had an extraordinary career at the Equinox Hotel from their re-opening, as the Executive Director of the Spa for over 32 years, until her retirement in December 2019. She served for many years on the Executive Board of the International Spa Association (ISPA). She married Paul E. Wheeler of Manchester, in 1995. She is survived by her four children and six grandchildren and sister: her son Aric Thorne-Thomsen and wife Ragna and their children Lars and Liv, of Missoula, Montana; son Drew Thorne-Thomsen and wife Marie and their children Sage and Wynter; son Chris Wheeler and wife Rachael and their son Hugh of Jackson Hole, Wyoming; daughter Lou Lou Wheeler and husband Nate Goss-Woliner and their daughter Cece also of Jackson Hole; her sister Donna Barrett and husband Donald, who live in Florida and Niantick, Connecticut and her two nieces Evan and Adrienne; and her husband Paul of Manchester. She is also survived by her devoted dog Cabot and her horse, Shawn. She was very close with her sister in law, Laura dias Leite of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She rode competitively for her entire life, winning many show jumping events throughout the region. She had competed in the East Dorset Horse Show since its inception and was known, loved and respected by the Equestrian community at large. In addition to riding she loved to ski, snowshoe, hike, garden and practice yoga and meditation. She taught yoga at the Equinox Spa for three decades and had a devoted following. Above all, she cherished spending time with her family. She was a serene and mindful person, who was generous of spirit in every way. Susan always led with her heart, and was loved by everyone. She was a quiet angel who will be missed by all whose lives she had graced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Susan’s honor to The Dorset Equine Rescue: www.dorsetequinerescue.org or The Manchester Community Food Cupboard: www.manchestercommunityfoodcupboard.org. A public celebration of her life is being planned for later this summer. https://www.gatheringus.com/memorial/susan-wheeler/7363