Susanne Egan Humphrey

Born April 27, 1933, in Pittsburgh, PA, Susanne was youngest of five children born to the late Judge John P. Egan, and Luceille Murray Egan. She was a graduate of The Ellis School in Pittsburgh, and Wellesley College, where she cultivated a lifelong love of learning and intellectual challenge.

In 1957, she married the late George Lee Humphrey and they raised a family of four children in Newton, MA. While their marriage ended in the 1970s, Sue and Lee maintained a lasting and respectful friendship for more than 70 years.

Susanne enjoyed an administrative career in education, supporting academic deans at the former Newton College of the Sacred Heart and Radcliffe College, and serving as assistant to the president of the Newton Teachers Association for nearly 30 years. With an office inside of Newton North High School, she made sure to keep an eye on her kids in their teen-aged years, much to their chagrin.

In 2011, she moved from Newton to Wellesley, where she made many friends and was a loyal volunteer at the Wellesley Free Library. Well into her eighties, she continued to take classes at Wellesley College in history, literature, politics of the Middle East, or anything she felt she should know more about. In a class on Women and the 1960s, the student became the teacher as was asked to share her experiences as a living witness to that era.

A proud alumna of the Wellesley College Class of 1955, she enjoyed many reunions and served on the planning committee for her 55th reunion in 2010. She was particularly proud that both her daughter-in-law and granddaughter are also Wellesley alumnae.

Susanne was a devoted sports fan, rooting first for her hometown Pittsburgh teams, and easily adding the Boston Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and Bruins whenever she had the opportunity. She was known to shut off her phone during the NCAA Final Four or a particularly tense Red Sox pitching duel. She was also a master of the New York Times crossword puzzle, a steady patron of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an avid reader, who always had the best recommendations for her book club.

Susanne is survived by her children, Claire Humphrey (Vickie Henry) of Jamaica Plain, MA; Laura Fleming (Kurt) of Marblehead, MA.; Scott Humphrey (Mimi) of Pelham, NY; and John Humphrey (Sarah) of Darien, CT, as well as her 12 grandchildren -- Lucy and George Humphrey; Hunter and Camden Fleming; Elizabeth H. Regina (Danny), Caroline, Quinn and Shea Humphrey; Nicole, Ashley, Chloe and Brett Humphrey -- great grandson Thomas Regina, beloved nieces and nephews and countless friends.

Sue’s family extends special thanks to her friends and the staff at the Residence at Vinnin Square in Swampscott, where Sue lived for the past year and a half, and to the caregivers at Salem Hospital and the Kaplan Family Hospice House for their compassion and expertise.

Details of Susanne’s memorial service are pending and will be shared here: (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/12737092) when available. Remembrances may be made to the Wellesley College Financial Aid and Scholarship Fund (https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/21746/donations/new?a=4660571)