Susan Ellen Cahill

With profound sorrow and deep gratitude for a life well lived, we announce the passing of Susan “Susie” Cahill (née Bickerton) — beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, and friend — who passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026, at the age of 71, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Susie was born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 30, 1954, to the late Courtney and Charlotte Bickerton. Susie is survived by her devoted husband, Harold Cahill; her daughter, Elisabeth Cahill, and her partner, John Goodrich; her cherished grandson, Gavin Goodrich; her beloved sister, Margaret Moncure, and her husband, Robert Moncure; as well as numerous extended family members and an abundance of dear friends.

Susie was the heart of her family — a steady source of strength, wisdom, and unconditional love whose presence brought comfort and joy to all who knew her. She held a strong belief in God and lived each day grounded in a steadfast and abiding faith. Susie had a deep appreciation for science, nature, literature, art, and history. She especially cherished time spent at the beach in Cape May with her family where she found peace, clarity, and happiness.

Susie graduated summa cum laude from Towson University in 1976 and began her teaching career at Perry Hall Middle School. After a hiatus to stay at home to raise Elisabeth, Susie returned to the classroom at Immaculate Heart of Mary School and subsequently at Notre Dame Preparatory where she worked full time until her diagnosis in late December.

Her impact on the Notre Dame Preparatory community was profound. As Dr. Angela Allen, Head of School, reflected: “Susie gave 50 years of her life to education – a remarkable testament to her belief in the power of teaching and the dignity of each child. Before coming to NDP, she served faithfully at Immaculate Heart of Mary School. In 2008, after years as an NDP parent, she officially joined our Middle Level team. From that moment forward, she became an integral part of this community.

She taught 6th and 7th grade science and forensic science within the Innovation, Design, and Technology block, sharing not only her deep content knowledge but also her infectious curiosity. Susie earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Elementary Education from Towson University, grounding her practice in both expertise and experience.

What defined Susie was not simply her longevity or her credentials; it was her generosity of spirit. She showed up fully for students and for her colleagues. She was collaborative, thoughtful, and endlessly devoted to the mission entrusted to us. Her love of Harry Potter, especially visible in her unforgettable Halloween costumes, reminded us that joy belongs in our classrooms. She balanced rigor with warmth, excellence with compassion.”

Susie’s passion for teaching science made a lasting impact on countless students throughout her career. Even in passing, she found a way to continue teaching by donating her body to science to support medical research and education.

A visitation for the Notre Dame Preparatory School community will be held at Towson Presbyterian Church (400 W. Chesapeake Ave., Towson, MD 21204) on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Towson Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00am for her family, close friends, and church community. A live stream of the service will be available for those who are unable to attend in person: https://www.youtube.com/@towsonpres

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to two missions important to Susie:
- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (https://pancan.org/) – advancing research and offering compassionate support to patients and families affected by pancreatic cancer.
- Towson Presbyterian Memorial Fund (https://towsonpres.churchcenter.com/giving) – supporting the church’s ongoing ministry and service to the greater community.