Susan M. Fleming

Susan was the first of five children. She was born April 8, 1942 to Frances Carr Fleming and Arthur T. Fleming of Boston. Susan graduated from Fontbonne Academy in Milton, MA in 1959. Susan followed in her mother’s footsteps and went to Emmanuel College, where she graduated in 1963. Susan attended Catholic University in Washington DC to get a masters in theatre arts.

In the early sixties, while still in college, Susan and her friend Cappy Cronin Kral, started a children’s creative drama and dance studio in Boston. In the mid sixties, Susan interned one summer at Falmouth Playhouse. She also toured with a USO group for a year and traveled through Europe performing in plays and skits to entertain the American Troops.

Susan worked for the NEA (National Educational Association) in Washington, DC. She also taught theatre arts at Stoney Brook Country Day School, also in the DC area.

Susan worked as a freelance writer for various businesses and helped to produce films for industries. Susan also helped to create children’s television programming in New York City for channel 13, PBS, their educational channel.

Susan was fun-loving, daring, and tenacious. She took up skiing at age 39 and was fearless on the slopes. In the summer she loved to spend time on Lieutenants Island in Wellfleet with friends and family.

In the mid nineties to present, Susan helped to run the family business, Flemings Donut Shack of North Eastham. She was active in the local Cape Chamber of Commerce and served on their executive board for several years.

Susan leaves behind her sister Jane Fleming, whom she lived with and worked with in North Eastham. She is also survived by her brother Paul Fleming of Eastham, two younger sisters, Mary Lou Mallouk of Halesite, NY, and Nancy Patriacca of Newton, MA. Susan also leaves behind four nephews; Matt Mallouk, Michael Patriacca, Ben Patriacca, John Mallouk, one niece; Elyse Mallouk and one great nephew Jack Mallouk. Susan also leaves behind many cousins from the family of Rosemary Cashman, Joan Cashman, and Roberta Flynn, who were like her big sisters, all of Amesbury and Newburyport, MA, as well as friends from the Cape and greater Boston area.

Memorial visitation will be held Sunday afternoon, August 12, 2012 from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 13, 2012 at 1:00pm at St. Joan of Arc Church, 61 Canal Rd, Orleans, MA. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Route 6, Eastham, MA.

Memorial Donations may be made in her memory to the Fontbonne Academy, 930 Brook Road, Milton, MA 02186 or to Emmanuel College, 400 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115 . For online condolences please visit us at www.nickersonfunerals.com.

Susan — A Lament

Where is Susan?

So suddenly gone!

She left and took each

of her charms with her:

Her eyes - wide, involved, round -

two teaspoons of the Blue Pacific,

framed by long lashes and arched brows.

A wide mouth - generous lips that parted

for laughter from a generous heart.

Cheeks - high-boned, chin firm.

Her hair? - her crowning glory

spread out: long, glinting, dark

as she brushed and brushed it

under the lamplight as we talked.

"When the rest of me gets old and worn,

I'll still have great hair," she used to say.

Her voice, stage-trained, not low -

more, I think, in the middle zone;

well-paced words that caught attention.

(I need to put that down! So I do not forget

her sound.)

Her Spirit:

daring and tenacious;

fearless on the ski-slopes

her sisters,

who wrote the obit,

said.

Susan, the aunt, was "cool" —

the type, kids as adults,

write about and reminisce.

The oldest of Fran's four girls,

she shared her Alma Mater;

also her Cape Cod home

and their love for one another.

As a friend, steady;

as a cousin, like a sister.

as a sister, honest, sincere.

But where is Susan now?

I need to keep her near.

Bobbi

August, 2012