KEYES, Susan Riley Was the oldest of 11 children born to Dr. Charles Russell Riley and Eunice Riley in Richmond, VA. She graduated from Marymount College, Tarrytown NY, in 1968 and subsequently achieved a Masters degree in Chemistry from UCLA, a PhD in Pharmacology at the UConn Health Center, worked as a postdoctoral associate in Allen Sartorelli's cancer research lab at Yale University, and received a JD degree from Suffolk University. She contributed to cancer research in academia and industry and later focused on intellectual property matters. Her last position was as Vice President at Nemucore Medical Innovations. Susan married Tom Keyes while at UCLA, on 6/27/1969, and they were inseparable best friends ever since, sharing interests in countless topics from science to sailing to crosswords to Provincetown. She was a ballet dancer in her youth and followed it all her life, and was an avid urban gardner. But Susan's favorite activity was helping anyone she could. She always put others first. and brought a calm sweetness to every situation. She loved her family and doted on her nieces and nephews. Everyone looked forward to her holiday cookies, as she did to making them. Susan died with no warning on 3/31/2017 from an apparent state of good health. She is survived by her 10 siblings, Tom's four siblings, many nieces and nephews, and by her grieving husband. Donations in her name might be sent to her favorite charities, the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and the Louis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, VA. A memorial service to honor Susan will be held on Saturday, May 13th at 1pm at the Boston University Marsh Chapel, 735 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA. Friends and relatives are respectfully invited to attend.

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Published by Boston Globe from Apr. 7 to Apr. 9, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for SUSAN KEYES

12 Entries

June 24, 2019

Tom, I am very sorry for your loss. Susan was a very good friend. We lost touch when I moved to California. I was looking her up and found she had passed. A wonderful, interesting, intelligent woman who is deeply missed. My sincere blessings, Helen Maslocka

Strphanie Fahy

September 12, 2017

I worked with Susan while at the Division of Technology Transfer at Northeastern University. She was a remarkable woman and had such a kind heart. I moved to Virginia and just learned of her passing. I wanted to offer my deepest condolences to her family.

Rita Buckley

June 26, 2017

Hi Tom,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Susan was a remarkable woman. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rita Buckley

Kari Fernandez

May 12, 2017

Nora,

Susan was such a remarkable woman who gave freely of her god-given and well-earned talents. Please know you and your entire family is my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. With sympathy, Kari Fernandez, Westhampton United Methodist Church, Richmond, Va.

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Moira Whalen

April 21, 2017

Dear Ryans and especially Tom Keyes,

I haven't seem Susan in 45 years, but will always recall her practicing her ballet on Tom and Josephine's porch in Madison.

I am so sorry to know of her passing. I know there will be a big hole in all your lives.

Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely,
Moira Whalen

Glenn Hill

April 20, 2017

Please accept my deepest sympathy. Susan was the light in the room - always a friendly voice of reason. Our prayers are with you.

Jayne Gershkowitz

April 19, 2017

I had the privilege of recruiting and then working with Susan during her tenure on the board of directors of National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association. She taught us all so much about IP in medical research. She made significant contributions to NTSAD's Research Initiative, which continues stronger than ever these many years later. Susan's curiosity, candor, kindness, collaboration and charity were a joy to know. I am so sorry to learn of her very untimely passing and send heartfelt condolences to Tom and the entire family. May her sailing be forever smooth.

Diana Pangonis

April 18, 2017

Sending my deepest condolences to Tom and family. I worked with Susan while she was on our board at NTSAD and treasure our conversations. She was such a great support personally and for the organization and feel blessed to have known her. May all the memories be a blessing in the days, months and years ahead.

Pam Smith

April 17, 2017

Please accept my deepest sympathy. Susan and I worked together at Northeastern University when I was at the University Counsel's office in 2002-03. I admired her intelligence which helped us navigate challenging issues to a successful conclusion. I appreciated her inquisitive mind and friendly nature. She always spoke fondly and lovingly of Tom and her large family. My prayers are with all of you.

Laurie Cote

April 14, 2017

Susan made so many impressions on so many people, myself included. Susan, you will be greatly missed by us all. It was an honor to have known you.

Karen Kerner Neil

April 12, 2017

To all the Riley family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Susan Mills

April 6, 2017

You will be greatly missed, but always remembered.

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