Susan B. Baird

The daughter of Dana and Eileen (Tucker) Barker, Susan grew up in East Hanover, NJ. She set her sights on becoming the best nurse she could be after a high school guidance counselor quashed medical school aspirations by labeling it inappropriate for girls. Notwithstanding the cringe guidance of that era, turns out nursing was a perfect fit for Susan’s inquisitive mind and compassionate heart.

Following graduation from John Hopkins Hospital School of Nursing (1963), Susan married and settled in Bridgeport, CT. She initially worked as a visiting nurse. After her daughter’s birth, a switch to hospital night shifts facilitated juggling career and motherhood.

After a brief nursing hiatus running a bed & breakfast on Nantucket Island, MA (1967-1970), and restaurant in New London, NH (1971-1972), Susan returned to nursing at New London Hospital (1972-1975), where an invite to a national cancer-related meeting nurtured her interest in oncology.

Over two decades in cancer nursing administration, research, and publishing followed at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center (1975-1982), National Institutes of Health (1982-1985), Oncology Nursing Society (1979-1990), University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing (1988-1990), Fox Chase Cancer Center (1990-1995), and Meniscus Limited (1992-2001). She also earned BA, MPH and MA degrees from New England College (1977), Boston University (1979), and University of Pennsylvania (1989), respectively.

Susan had a gift for writing, editing, and mentoring nurse writers, and served as editor-in-chief of the Oncology Nursing Forum (1979-1990). She authored or co-authored several cancer nursing articles, books, and textbooks. She also was a frequent lecturer and conference speaker; she visited nearly all US states, plus Europe, Russia, and China during her career. She received Distinguished Service Awards from the American Cancer Society (1990) and Oncology Nursing Society (1994).

Shifting gears to camp nursing towards the end of her career, Susan worked at Incarnation Center (1998-2002), Nature’s Classroom, (1999-2002 [winters]), Sargent Center for Outdoor Education (then part of Boston University) (2003-2007), and served as editor of the Association of Camp Nursing’s journal (2004-2017). She loved every aspect of camp nursing, especially camp camaraderie.

Susan retired to the Cape in 2007, where a favorite activity was grabbing lunch and going to the beach to watch the ocean. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. At Keystone Place, she chaired many committees, including the book club.

Susan leaves daughter Leslie Montejano; grandchildren Alexander Gomez (Ismelda), Quincy, MA and Anthony Montejano (Lauren), Hawthorne, CA; great-granddaughter Leslie “Rosie” Gomez, the apple of Susan’s eye; sisters Mary Perry, Lexington, VA and Carolyn Fraley, New London, NH; nephews Marc Fraley (Bianca), Grantham, NH and Craig Fraley (Nicola), Peterborough, NH; grandnephew/nieces Ben, Kate and Carolyn Fraley; and cousins and extended family.

A private family service and burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Wilton, NH will follow at a later date.

The family thanks Keystone Place Buzzards Bay staff and Beacon Hospice. Special thanks to Susan’s friends on the Cape and beyond for their recent companionship and assistance.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcomed in Susan’s memory to Incarnation Center, PO Box 577, Ivoryton, CT 06442, venmo @incarnation-center, www.incarnationcenter.org. The infirmary at Incarnation Center, a non-profit camp and conference center where Susan worked as camp nurse, is undergoing renovations; donations made in memory of Susan Baird will go towards that effort.