NEW BEDFORD - Susan Pochon, age 59, passed away peacefully at St. Luke's Hospital on Wednesday August 26, 2026, listening to her favorite album by her favorite artist, Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" and the recanting of stories and laughter, just as she would have wanted. She was surrounded by her devoted, loving husband, Joshua Pochon of 24 years, 345 days, and her group of "Real Sisters" Cousin Cathy FitzGerald, longtime friends and coworkers Shelly Lewis and Fatima Cabral and Sister-In-Law Caroline Hatch. Born in Fall River, she was the only daughter of the late George Rego and the late Mary (Cadime) Rego.

Susan found great joy in caring for others, both through her work and in every aspect of her life. While she achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Social Sciences from Southern Massachusetts University, she found her true passion for Culinary Arts after attending Johnson & Wales University. Susan initially worked in several food establishments including The 99 and The Roasted Bean Café (where Joshua, her husband to be, began courting her). But she took her career to the next level when she began working at Eurest/Compass Group on the Raytheon, Portsmouth campus where she spent 14 years ultimately ascending to the role of Assistant Manager. In 2012 she seized an extraordinary opportunity to work as Catering Manager for Salve Regina University, where she spent 10 wonderful years doing what she especially loved--coordinating catering for weddings, celebrations, and special events such as the Governor's Ball and Newport Folk Festival. She even witnessed the filming of the Woody Allen movie "Irrational Man" during her time there.

It was a job she truly cherished, but in 2022 she eventually returned to Eurest/Compass Group as Catering Manager for Johnson & Johnson in Raynham, where she wowed people with the skills and knowledge she had honed over her lifetime. Susan loved doing what came so naturally to her, feeding and caring for people. Susan was a generous heart and believed no one should ever leave her company empty-handed. She gave freely and wholeheartedly to everyone around her and continued feeding others right up until the very last day she could. Her love extended to animals as well. She cared for many pets over the years. Most recently her beloved dog, Jake (Mama's boy), and cat Missy (Daddy's girl) that were cherished members of the family, truly her children. Having had no children of her own, Susan adored her nieces and nephews and found special joy in doing little things for them. After her cancer treatments left her with debilitating neuropathy and lymph edema, unable to walk without assistance, she would spend time coloring beautiful pictures in pencil for her loved ones, dealing with muscle cramps and vasculitis trying to complete them. And if you were lucky enough to receive one, you knew it was a gift given with love and was truly a piece of her. Susan's generosity, nurturing spirit, and enormous heart touched countless lives, and she will be remembered for making sure that no one ever left her presence without feeling cared for and loved. (She will also be famously remembered for her chocolate chip cookies and raspberry thumbprints).

Along with her husband and parents, she was loved and cherished by so many people including her brothers Wayne Rego (and family Erica Rego, sons Gustavo Rego, and Bernardo Rego), Jeffrey Rego, Mark Rego (and wife Paula Rego), Brian Rego (and wife Tracy Rego); Cousins Cathy Fitzgerald (and family Kevin Fitzgferald, son Jack Fitzgerald, daughter Sadie Fitzgerald), Jennifer Rego and Renee Rego; her In-Laws Dennis Hatch (and wife Caroline (Pochon) Hatch); Nieces and Nephews Hunter Hatch and Abby Hatch, Adam Rego (and family Sarah Rego, daughter Nora Rego), Andrea (Rego) Seney (and family Brett Seney, son Leonardo Seney), Corey Carreiro (and fiancé Toni Park), Michael Marzilli (and wife Abby Marzilli); her Mother-In-Law Patricia Pochon; Aunts and Uncles Cathy Rego, Deborah Desmarias (and husband Leo Desmarias); her Father-In-Law Marvin Joe Pochon; as well as many friends that will truly miss her, especially her longtime best friends Shelly Lewis (who was "Mama" to Susan's "Baby Bird", "Yin to her Yang"), and ("The Amazing") Fatima Cabral; Coworkers and friends Kathy Daly, Mona Benard, Carla Oliveira, Robyn Buck, Bryn Gagliardi and (to quote Susan) "The Best Boss Ever" Louie; and with much appreciation Father Joseph Viveiros and Father Laurent Valliere. Special Thanks to Susan's physical therapist and surrogate daughter, the lovely Caroline Codair. The family (especially Joshua) would like to extend a heartfelt and exalted THANK YOU to Shelly, Fatima, Cathy F., Caroline H., Patricia, Deborah, Leo D., Joe and neighbor Joanne Butler for their unwavering love, friendship, support and sacrifice, especially during Susan's final days. Their kindness and compassion meant so much to Susan and her family and will always be remembered.

The family also extends their sincere gratitude, respect, admiration, LOVE and praise to the exceptional staff at St. Luke's Hospital Century 5, with special appreciation to Kassy, Naomi, Sue, Julia, Courtney, Amanda and Mary-Anne (who trained them all), as well as Hospice workers Ellen, Sharron and director Fernanda, for the generosity, comfort, kindness, nourishment, love, friendship, compassionate care and spiritual uplift shown to Susan and her entire family during Susan's final days.

Private Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Manuel Rogers Funeral Home 1521 N. Main St. Fall River. To send the family Expressions of Sympathy, please click the Guest Book below. You may also light a candle in honor of Susan.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Dartmouth Humane Society and Shelter (where Susan found Jake and Missy) at https://hsssc.org/donate/ or visiting their location at 31 Ventura Drive • Dartmouth, MA to save a life and make Susan smile.