Susanne Marie MacFarlane

Susanne was born on August 26, 1944, in Houston, Texas, to her parents, Vincent and Leona Kelly. As a child, her family moved often while her father served in the United States Air Force, before eventually settling in Kankakee, Illinois.

Susanne has a deceased older brother Jerry and is predeceased by her sisters Donna Franke (Bill), Diane Kelly, and brother Kevin Kelly (Christine).

She attended St. Joseph High School in Kankakee, and after graduating, continued her education in Chicago at Ray Vogue School of Interior Design, where she later graduated. Her love for art began early in life, drawing alongside her father, and it stayed with her throughout the years. Susanne was incredibly creative, she found joy in crafting, oil painting, ceramic board art, tole painting, and eventually developed a deep, lifelong passion for quilting.

She went on to marry the love of her life, Douglas MacFarlane. They were married on September 16, 1967, and shared nearly 55 wonderful years together until Doug’s passing on September 1, 2022. Their love was steady, enduring, and a true partnership through all of life’s seasons. They had three children Jennifer Sanza (Tony), Thad MacFarlane (Sue) and Patrick MacFarlane (Noelle) and their daughter Stella.

She dedicated her professional life as a bookkeeper for the Stafford Township School District, where she worked faithfully until her retirement.

Sue and Doug made their home in Manahawkin, where they remained together through the years. It was there that Doug passed, and it is there that Sue continued to hold onto the life and memories they built side by side.

Above all, Susanne will be remembered for her creativity, her strength, and her devotion to her family. Her life was full of love, resilience, and deep connection to those she cared about.

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Visitation will be held at Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Drive, Manahawkin, NJ, on June 30, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Mass will be held 11:00am at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 4700 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, NJ, on July 1, 2026.

A Committal Service will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Province Line Rd, Wrightstown, NJ, on July 1, 2026, from 1:30 pm to 1:45 pm.

To leave online condolences and fond memories of Susanne for the family, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com