By Kate Bartlett
Suzie Ditcher is owner and founder of Suzie Ditcher Home, a home organizing, decluttering, staging and clean-out service in the Ellicottville area. As a long-time resident, she is invested in the community and loves helping others be happier in their homes.
Suzie came to HoliMont to ski throughout her early childhood, and her parents finally made Ellicottville their full-time home in the 1980 when Suzie was 13 years old. She graduated from Ellicottville High School in 1985, and while she moved away briefly, she stayed local in the Western New York Area and always returned to Ellicottville to ski and visit family. “Ellicottville has always been a part of my life,” says Suzie. “My parents are deeply rooted in the community and I’ve been raised with that value instilled in me.”
Family is everything to Suzie. She moved to Ellicottville full-time with her husband, John, in 2016, and they have made it home for their 2 sons and her 2 stepsons here. Johns’ family has a long lineage in Ellicottville with many generations living and serving in the community. Her father, Evan Evans is a local salesman, and her mother Joyce, is one of the original members of the Alley Katz, a local club focusing on beautifying Ellicottville through gardening and other means.
Suzie has always had a love for homes. “As far back as I can remember, to having a Barbie Dream-house, I’ve loved homes and gardening. I love styling, colors, designing and making each space as beautiful as possible.” She began staging and styling for friends and realtors, and found she had a knack for beautifying spaces. She obtained her Home Staging Certification and founded Suzie Ditcher Home in 2021. She helps clients declutter, stage, and style their homes whether they’re selling or just wanting to sort out their living space. No job is too small, or too big. “I’ve taken on projects as small as pantries and closets, and as big as garages and entire homes. I’m never intimidated; I love the process.”
Not only does Suzie help declutter, but she offers perspectives on how and why a person may ac-cumulate certain items. “I’ve moved 16 times in my 57 years; I’ve lived the experience of going through all my things. I’ve learned a lot along the way and I’ve discovered the joy of living with less.” Suzie can help clients learn what to keep and what to toss, offering a bit of life coaching if clients are interested.
No matter the project, whether to live in or sell, the end goal is the same: to make a happy, healthy home. “We get down and we get dirty, and it’s so worth it. The end result is so incredibly satisfying. I’ve shed tears of joy alongside my clients when they see their home at the end of this journey. I can feel their sense of relief and it’s incredible.”
Suzie is never intimidated by a project, and never judges what, or how much, a person has accumulated. She tailors the process to best meet the needs of each client. “I make sure to involve the client, if they’re interested, and make the process fun. You can learn a lot along the way, or I can come in and clean out the house without any involvement whatsoever. You decide what’s best.”
The best part of Suzie’s job is the satisfaction in the end result, and helping people find joy in their homes. She is passionate about what she does, and loves the process of decluttering and organizing. “I’m so fortunate to be able to serve the community in this way, and I’m proud to have several repeat customers.” Suzie has a knack for knowing what systems will work for certain people, and helps set them up for success in their homes. She helps clients transition wardrobes, and homes, throughout the seasons, shifting needs to best meet winter, spring, summer and fall.
Outside of work, which she doesn’t consider work, Suzie is an active member of Alley Katz with her mother and many friends. The group, founded in 1978, focuses on beautifying Ellicottville, through gardening and other means. They are responsible for the hanging baskets in the village and decorate the gazebo several times per year, changing with the seasons. “It’s such a wonderful group of women who love flowers, gardening and Ellicottville. We enjoy serving the community and spending time together.”
Suzie also spends as much time as possible with her family. “I’m so blessed with my family, and that we all live in the area (with the exception of my son, Evan and his family, who are stationed in Fr. Wainwright, Fairbanks, AK). We love being together at Bills games, local events, family dinners and so much more. We are blessed beyond measure. Having their love and support means everything.”
For more information and to view current projects follow her on Facebook, SuzieDitcher Home and Instagram @suzieditcherathome.