Susan Bennett Fairlee

Born on May 24, 1974 in Raleigh, Susan spent her life in the Cary/Raleigh community she loved. Susan was a devoted mother to her two children, Allison Rae Fairlee (daughter, 22) and Ryan Mitchell Fairlee (son, 17). She dedicated her life to her children and was their greatest supporter and source of unconditional love.

In 2000, Susan married a fellow NC State rower and relocated yankee from New York, Jason Fairlee. They built a marriage rooted in love, loyalty, and adventure living in New Mexico, traveling to Europe, competing with and against each other in sports. Adventure continued as a family where trips to roller coaster parks was a regular event. Susan’s calm and caring personality profoundly shaped her husband through the years and her partnership will be dearly missed.

Susan graduated from Enloe High School in 1992 and went on to earn Bachelor and Masters degrees from North Carolina State University in Textile and Material Sciences. Her education led to employment at the RTP site of Underwriter Laboratories testing firefighter protective materials followed by time at home raising her two children.

Susan was an avid athlete and continued with competitive sports throughout her life. She loved swimming and was a regular at her childhood pool at Medfield. She swam with TSA swim club, Enloe High School, and NC State. She then supported her children’s swimming careers as the Silverton summer swim team manager and as a volunteer at Cary High School. Susan was also an accomplished rower at NC State and was known as the “machine” powering the boat with her impressive strength and incredible focus. As an adult, Susan enjoyed playing volleyball with her husband and tennis with friends.

Susan was preceded in death by her father, Roy Bennett. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Jason Fairlee, brother, Brian Bennett (wife Wendy Bennett), mother (Ellen Bennett), her two children (Allison and Ryan Fairlee), and two nephews (Marc and Robert Bennett).

Susan’s legacy is one of love, strength, and unwavering kindness to all. Her amazing smile and caring nature were treasured amongst those that knew her. May her memory bring comfort to those who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family offers the opportunity for donations made to one of the following organizations (Please indicate Susan Fairlee as the person you are memorializing):

Second Chance Pet Adoption (www.secondchancenc.org/support-us/honor-memory/)

Transitions Lifecare (www.transitionslifecare.org/donate/)

Rowing Club at NC State (www.rowingclubncsu.com/donations)

A service of Witness to the Resurrection was held Friday, March 21, 2025 at 2:00 PM at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608. Following the service, the Fairlee family received in the Jane Bell Gathering Space.

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Fairlee family.