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SUSAN R. KUDER

1943 - 2020

BORN

1943

DIED

2020

SUSAN KUDER Obituary

Name: Memorial service for SUSAN R. KUDER
Start: 2020-08-15T15:00:00.000Z
Location: First Parish Watertown (Zoom online)

KUDER, Susan R. Age 77, of Watertown, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 22, at Seasons Hospice, Milton, with her loving sister and niece at her side. Born in Philadelphia, PA, on March 15, 1943, Susan grew up in Media, PA. She leaves behind her partner of more than thirty years, Channing Mendelsohn, of Watertown, as well as her sister, Judith Hand, of Syracuse, NY, and brother, Theodore Kuder, of Media, PA, along with members of her extended family. Susan earned a BA in Foreign Languages at Pennsylvania State University, an MS in Linguistics at the University of Michigan, and an MBA in Accounting at Babson College. She taught French and Spanish at Randolph High School for more than a decade. In the early 1970s, she served in the Peace Corps, teaching English and Linguistics at Université de Lomé, Togo, West Africa. After earning her MBA, Susan served for 25 years as Controller and Legal Administrator for a Law firm in Natick. She put her administrative skills to work in the greater community, serving as President of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, and serving multiple terms on the Parish Committee of First Parish Watertown, Unitarian Universalist Church, as well as chairing the Social Action Committee for the Church. Additionally, she served as Chair of World in Watertown, and was a founder and primary organizer of the annual Martin Luther King Day Unity Breakfast. For years, Sue was a leader of the Belmont-Watertown Chapter of Amnesty International. She was an active member of Watertown Welcomes Immigrants and Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice, and the Environment. Driven by her passion for social justice, Sue was a key figure in organizing countless initiatives to support the rights of all oppressed people, the celebration of diversity, and the fair and equal treatment of all. She was a quiet, yet relentless organizer for good. She inspired many others to follow in her footsteps. In her private life, she also made time for extensive travel, reading and bridge. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First Parish Watertown, Unitarian Universalist, 35 Church St., Watertown, MA 02472. A zoom Memorial Service through First Parish Watertown will be held on August 15th.

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Published by Boston Globe from Jul. 23 to Jul. 26, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for SUSAN KUDER

17 Entries

Janet Ghattas and John Hand

July 17, 2023

Dear Judith and Channing,
Susan is in our hearts and minds as we remember her especially commemorating her during our annual sojourn to Jacob's Pillow, Great Barrington and Tanglewood. So many wonderful times shared there and as RPCVs. We miss you. Janet and John

John Hand and Janet Ghattas

July 20, 2022

Susan is on our minds as we soon leave for our annual Jacobs Pillow weekend which we shared with Sue and Channing in the Berkshires. There we were hosted by Susan and Channing. We miss you Sue.
Love, Janet and John

Paula Klusas-King

August 15, 2020

Susan was one of my dearest and closest friends. We first met while teaching at Randolph High School in MA in the 70’s and then remained good friends through the Peace Corps time. the grad school period, and finally her work at a law firm. In all that time Susan remained the same; warm, caring, intelligent, a great listener, and generous friend. We shared so many good conversations and discussions together. In our later years we did quite a bit of traveling together with other friends as well. Sue was always up for an adventure, to try something new, and fully experience all she possibly could. I miss her easy laugh and joy of life. She did live it well, thoughtfully, generously, and lovingly. She will be so missed by so many, but always remembered with love.

Holly Anderson

August 4, 2020

I knew Sue through work. She was very patient and talked me "off the ledge" more than once when I was anxious about something. She had a great sense of humor, especially about her fellow human beings and their frailties. My condolences to Channing and the rest of Sue's family.

chris fowles

July 29, 2020

Sue and I got to know each other as Peace Corps volunteers in Togo in the mid 1970s. Our assigned locations as teachers were only a couple hours apart so we connected on several occasions over the two years. It was an experience of a lifetime and I will always remember Sue's chuckle, sense of humor and just plain straight talk. Two memories come to mind-Sue with her leg in a cast (from another adventure!) coming to my rural village for Thanksgiving dinner-somehow we found a real turkey! And many months later, Sue took charge of a medical situation at a local clinic, loudly preventing any action without anesthesia (for which I am still grateful). While we went our separate ways over the years, we re-connected about three years ago in Western Mass. Lunches, wine, laughter, political commentary and good memories forever. Saw my first monarch butterfly of the summer on July 23. I'm choosing to believe it was Sue one last time...and an African saying seems appropriate. "may the earth be light beneath her"

W C

July 27, 2020

I had her for 3 years as a student in Weymouth. She was very serious yet affable. Met up with her
years later in Watertown. She lived an extremely meaningful life.

Susan Moran

July 26, 2020

'Missing Sue, who was always safe, and as reliable as the sun.

'Missing Sue, my friend.

She was a quiet, understated megaforce
with an unerring eye for justice
and an unflagging drive to move toward it.

For me, this loss is more than personal.

July 25, 2020

I will miss our Christmas celebration all the laughs and conversation over the years. Love you
may you rest in peace.

July 24, 2020

Sue was an old friend . Spent many times together when I lived in Newton. She and Channing moved into Brookbend in Monterey after we bought a condo there - many wonderful adventures, meals together, hikes and cross country skiing. My deepest sympathy to Channing and her sister.
Mary Schneider, Phoenix, AZ

Gerard Goulet

July 24, 2020

Thanks for being such a gentle soul. I will miss my bridge partner

Judith Whitney-Terry

July 24, 2020

Sue was a terrific person and she will be dearly missed. As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, she exemplified the third goal of Peace Corps - to educate Americans about the outside world. I will always remember her smile and kindness, her thoughtfulness and her energy and a hilarious dash for the airport in Arkansas!
I feel blessed to have been part of such a wonderful life.

Sue at Jacob's Pillow

Janet Ghattas

July 24, 2020

My sincere condolences to the friends and family of Sue Kuder. Sue and I shared our love of the French language having both studied and taught it and used it in our Peace Corps experience in Francophone, West Africa. She loved France and we often talked of our favorite places to visit. She followed me as President of BARPCV and was instrumental in the affairs and events that go with the job. One of my most favorite memories is sharing Saturday afternoon dance performances and lectures at Jacob's Pillow in the Berkshires. We would then follow it up with dinner at a fine local restaurant. Sue's blueberry pie is a summerr memory of dessert at her second home in Monterey. A woman of many talents and a joy to be with.

John Hand

July 24, 2020

I have many memories of Susan but I will highlight here the joyous times Janet and I had with Susan and Channing when we picnicked with wine and listened to beautiful music at Tanglewood. It happened more than once and each time, the warmth of Susan's personality suffused the atmosphere under the trees on the Great Lawn. Unforgettable. I also mention my memories of discussing politics and international human rights issues with Susan -- issues with which she was passionately involved not only in thought but in many deeds spanning the decades. Peace and Blessings. John and Janet

Joanne Levy

July 23, 2020

Sue was a special person who always brought her positivity and joy to everyone. I was so sorry to hear of her passing.

Janna Behrens

July 23, 2020

I remember Sue from the BARPCV group when I just returned from Ghana in 1997. Though we served in the same region years apart, I remember how easy it was to talk with her and talk about our shared experiences. She was such an active leader in BARPCV!

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