1 Upcoming Event
Memorial Service
JAN
29
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Starts at 11:00 am
First Church
316 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970
Susan Wells Phinney Engelke, 84, of Salem, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on January 6, 2026.
Predeceased by her husband John Leland Engelke who died August 16, 1989. Raised in Wakefield, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Carleton Clifford Phinney and Edith Velma Wells. She and her former husband, Robert W. Murley, Sr., also raised their family in Wakefield.
Susan's life and adventures took her around the world. She introduced her children to international travel by making a number of trips to Mexico to visit her parents, camping all the way. April Fools' Day was her favorite holiday. She was known to play a prank or two, like making meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting. She hosted phenomenal parties featuring garlic, chocolate, and champagne.
She retired in 2011 after a long career as an educator. Her final position was at the Mercedes Benz International School in Pune, India as an Educational Specialist where she developed two programs of benefit to students: one for children with learning difficulties and one for students who are gifted. She worked for three years as a Special Educator for Billerica Public Schools. She also worked for two years for Melrose Public Schools as an Educational Team Facilitator. Susan also worked for the American International School of Zagreb, Croatia for five years. She worked for Lynnfield Public Schools and Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School for ten years each, and for North Shore Regional Vocational High School for one year. Her specialty was teaching reading to those students who had not been successful with traditional methods. She believed everyone could learn.
A proponent of volunteering, she was active in Boston Mensa, serving as Loc Sec (President), Proctor, membership and activities coordinator. She established a Girl Scout Troop in Croatia. She volunteered for the Department of Education and for political campaigns.
She was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Class of 1959, Salem State University, BSEd in Early Childhood, MSED School Administration, and MBA; University of Massachusetts at Lowell with a MSEd and EdD ABD.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Elizabeth and Gerard Stodolski of Bedford, New Hamshire, Robert and Lisa Murley of Gloucester, Massachusetts, William and Bonnie Murley of North Carolina and New Hampshire, Richard and Tina Murley of Newton, Massachusetts; her ten grandchildren: Robert Murley III, Kammie McHugh, Amanda and Alicia Murley, Alexander and Jonathan Stodolski, Grace and Jack Murley, Cody and Riley Grondin; her four great grandchildren Bastian McHugh, Elsie Murley, and twins Dillon and Owen Murley. She is also survived by her brother, George Malcom Phinney of Plymouth, Massachusetts and nieces and nephews Dan, Alan, and Jon Murley, Katie Belisle, Molly Baskette, and Emily Leston. Predeceased by Carolyn Murley and Jesse Phinney.
It was one of her granddaughters, Alicia Murley, who gave her the prestigious name of "Gumma" when she could not say grandma.
In accordance with her wishes, she donated her body to Harvard Medical School to advance medical education and research.
A memorial service will be held at the First Church, 316 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts at 11 AM on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation or to First Church.
Predeceased by her husband John Leland Engelke who died August 16, 1989. Raised in Wakefield, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of Carleton Clifford Phinney and Edith Velma Wells. She and her former husband, Robert W. Murley, Sr., also raised their family in Wakefield.
Susan's life and adventures took her around the world. She introduced her children to international travel by making a number of trips to Mexico to visit her parents, camping all the way. April Fools' Day was her favorite holiday. She was known to play a prank or two, like making meatloaf cupcakes with mashed potato frosting. She hosted phenomenal parties featuring garlic, chocolate, and champagne.
She retired in 2011 after a long career as an educator. Her final position was at the Mercedes Benz International School in Pune, India as an Educational Specialist where she developed two programs of benefit to students: one for children with learning difficulties and one for students who are gifted. She worked for three years as a Special Educator for Billerica Public Schools. She also worked for two years for Melrose Public Schools as an Educational Team Facilitator. Susan also worked for the American International School of Zagreb, Croatia for five years. She worked for Lynnfield Public Schools and Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School for ten years each, and for North Shore Regional Vocational High School for one year. Her specialty was teaching reading to those students who had not been successful with traditional methods. She believed everyone could learn.
A proponent of volunteering, she was active in Boston Mensa, serving as Loc Sec (President), Proctor, membership and activities coordinator. She established a Girl Scout Troop in Croatia. She volunteered for the Department of Education and for political campaigns.
She was a graduate of Wakefield High School, Class of 1959, Salem State University, BSEd in Early Childhood, MSED School Administration, and MBA; University of Massachusetts at Lowell with a MSEd and EdD ABD.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Elizabeth and Gerard Stodolski of Bedford, New Hamshire, Robert and Lisa Murley of Gloucester, Massachusetts, William and Bonnie Murley of North Carolina and New Hampshire, Richard and Tina Murley of Newton, Massachusetts; her ten grandchildren: Robert Murley III, Kammie McHugh, Amanda and Alicia Murley, Alexander and Jonathan Stodolski, Grace and Jack Murley, Cody and Riley Grondin; her four great grandchildren Bastian McHugh, Elsie Murley, and twins Dillon and Owen Murley. She is also survived by her brother, George Malcom Phinney of Plymouth, Massachusetts and nieces and nephews Dan, Alan, and Jon Murley, Katie Belisle, Molly Baskette, and Emily Leston. Predeceased by Carolyn Murley and Jesse Phinney.
It was one of her granddaughters, Alicia Murley, who gave her the prestigious name of "Gumma" when she could not say grandma.
In accordance with her wishes, she donated her body to Harvard Medical School to advance medical education and research.
A memorial service will be held at the First Church, 316 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts at 11 AM on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Parkinson's Foundation or to First Church.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Susan Wells Engelke, please visit our flower store.
Consider a donation, as requested by the family.
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