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Susan Fink Obituary

Of Northampton, MA. A beloved and long-time teacher in Northampton, MA, formerly of West Roxbury, MA, died on November 20, 2007, at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton after a long illness. She was 51. Susan was the daughter of the late Louis and Edis Fink of West Roxbury. She is survived by two sisters, Elissa M. McEnaney and her husband, David McEnaney, and Joan R. Franklin and her husband, Dr. Benci Franklin. Susan is also survived by a sister-in-law, Linda Fink, the widow of her late brother, Theodore M. Fink. She is also survived by five nephews and nieces, Evan and Adam Fink, and Erica, Rachel and Anna Franklin. Susan's funeral will be held on Friday, November 23, at 11 A.M. at Congregation B'Nai Israel, 253 Prospect Street, Northampton. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Cancer Connection, Inc., P.O. Box 60452, Florence, MA 01062 (www.cancer-connection.org), or to the Jackson Street School Parent-Teacher Organization, c/o Gwen Agna, 120 Jackson Street, Northampton, MA 01060. Should anyone wish to register a condolence message or share a personal memory or photograph of Susan, they may do so by accessing an online guest book under her name at www.legacy.com. The Ahearn Funeral Home in Northampton is in charge of arrangements.

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Published by Boston Globe on Nov. 22, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Susan Fink

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November 20, 2015

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July 12, 2013

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November 22, 2012

Unathletic Susan

June 20, 2008

June 5, 2008

Susan's friends & family@ JSS Gazebo

June 5, 2008

Susan & "the other" Madeline (Manganelli

June 5, 2008

Memorial Plaque at Gazebo

May 27, 2008

Gazebo in Susan's memory - (05/23/2008) - This gazebo was built by Susan's friend and colleagues at the Jackson St School.

May 27, 2008

Dedication of Gazebo in Susan's memory

May 27, 2008

Susan and Elissa

February 6, 2008

Susan and Skip

February 6, 2008

Susan and Madeline

February 6, 2008

Susan and Josh

February 6, 2008

Susan and Debby

February 6, 2008

Susan and Barry

February 6, 2008

Susan and Ann Barbara

February 6, 2008

Susan and Amy

February 6, 2008

Marcy and Tim's Wedding - (05/20/2007)

February 6, 2008

Susan with the Vernon St Children

December 1, 2007

Book group in Cape Cod

December 1, 2007

Book group in St John

December 1, 2007

Susan with Ben and Zach

December 1, 2007

Susan at Book Group trip to Cape Cod

December 1, 2007

December 1, 2007

December 1, 2007

Susan and Simon

December 1, 2007

Susan and Barbara's garden

December 1, 2007

Susan and Barbara in their garden

December 1, 2007

Susan and Patrice

December 1, 2007

Susan and Erica

December 1, 2007

Susan and Ben

December 1, 2007

Susan with others from Cancer Connection

December 1, 2007

Susan1

November 22, 2012

Bill

December 2, 2023

Happy Birthday, Susie! Another year come and gone.This summer we had a mini UMass reunion and raised a glass to you. We all miss you and love you. Keep giving the angels belly-laughs. Your friend always - Bill

Christian Desroches

December 20, 2021

Susan!
My dear Susan... it was such a pleasure to meet you in Québéc City while you were traveling with a friend. All the laughters and good times. As you said to me, when it is December, think of me because it is my birthday!
Will always remember you my dear Susan..

December 2, 2021

Susie - Always smiling. I miss your deep thought provoking conversations. You are missed and always loved. Bill

Can't believe so many years have passed! Think of you often. Happy Birthday

December 1, 2021

Joan M

November 16, 2021

Sue
Reminiscing about you, times at JSS, and movies at the Pleasant St. Theater. You are missed, my friend..

December 14, 2020

Dear Susan. A belated happy birthday! You are not forgotten. You left a world full of friends who are still mourning their loss of you. Keep the angels entertained! Your forever friend - Bill

December 1, 2019

Susie - Happy Birthday! You will always be missed. As time catches up with us memories become all that more important. You would have been an outstanding mom but your legacy still continues on and will not be forgotten in the memories of those you left behind. Bill

Bill Lavin

December 1, 2018

Susie-Happy Birthday. Another year, can't believe how time passes. You are and always will be missed. Take care, my friend. Bill

Bill Lavin

November 24, 2017

Hello Susie. 10 years. Hard to believe we have grown into our sixties. Keep the angels laughing. You are forever missed. Bill

Bill Lavin

November 20, 2016

Susie - can't believe another year has passed. I know you are looking down laughing. The world needs more people like you in it. We need a good Susie Fink belly laugh. You are missed and very much loved by all of us you touched. Take care my friend and an early happy birthday wish to you ! Bill

Bill Lavin

November 20, 2015

Susie - I know you are smiling upon all of those who loved you and still miss you. Another year has passed but you will always be in my thoughts.Take care my friend. With much love. Bill

November 20, 2014

Susie - Another year has passed. I hope you are resting in comfort. My thoughts are with you. I feel your positive energy, my friend.
With much love to you - Bill

December 5, 2013

Susie - Happy Birthday, your 58th! I met you at 17 at Umass. You are very missed by many. The world has been cheated for not knowing your smiles and laughter. Thank you for being my friend. Bill Lavin

Martha Caballero

February 25, 2013

Ms. Fink,
I'm have been blessed to have walked most of my life with you, I'm sorry that we had lost our communication for I've never forgotten our moments together. Like my very first thanksgiving with your family. Meeting your sister, aunt, and everyone else. I miss you, and you will be missed. For I will keep you close to my heart. ..I love you

November 21, 2012

Susie
Five years and you are still missed and much loved. Bill Lavin

Joan Morvidelli

August 18, 2012

Just lost my dad at the beginning of August. I was thinking of you a lot recently.. Miss you, your smile and your humor and the kids always confusing me with you.. I was called Miss Fink off and on, for some time..

August 18, 2012

Suzie,
Always remembering you from our West Roxbury days at school and at temple. You were a great friend. I know you went on to become a great teacher. May G-d always look over you and your wonderful family. Miss you.
Rhonda (Kitover) Gabovitch

Michael Scott

August 17, 2012

Sue,
You are missed dearly, remembered fondly and loved always. I always smile when I recall my visits to Northampton many years ago. I also recall when we first met at a party at Mimi and Scott's apartment in Providence when you were completing your grad school program at RIC. The question of debate that night was from a Doobie Brothers song "Where would you be without love?" well, I can say you are loved by many and are in our hearts always.

powell

August 17, 2012

Miss you Susan!

Bill Lavin

November 21, 2011

It can't be 4 years since you passed. I think of you often - and my face brightens with a smile. So many memories I will take throughout my life. Peace my friend. Bill

July 7, 2011

Thinking of Ms. Fink all the time. We all miss you so much. I continue to strive to be the student and person that I know you would be proud of.

-Hannah

June 10, 2011

Was thinking of you today. I would tell you to 'rest comfortably' but I know you are so busy each day watching over your friends with boundless energy.

Donna Aronson

October 11, 2010

Visited your gazebo today at the Jackson St. Elementary School. Remembering your wonderful energy and friendship.

Bill Lavin

May 16, 2008

The world is a less happy place for those who never met Susie Fink and so much more enriched for those having known her. I went to U Mass with Sue. She was my first love. I searched her many times on the net but never made the call, to say hello again and just chat. My loss now but my good fortune to have known and admired such an amazing woman. See you down the road, Susie. I know that you are smiling. Bill

Donna Aronson

January 24, 2008

While on the UMass alumni website I decided to do a search for Susan as I had lost touch with her since our days at UMass. I was shocked and saddened to see the entry on the site that stated she had passed away. Susan and I first met in Hebrew School and we were classmates until our bat mitzvahs. She and I were part of a class of 5 girls among many boys and I remember her fondly as being the class clown. Those long days in Hebrew School would fly by thanks to her theatrics and unending humor. My condolences to her family.
Donna Aronson

Connie Forcier

January 3, 2008

I feel blessed and honored to have called Sue a friend. She made such a positive impact on me and my kiddos. I am deeply saddened by her passing. She will be truly missed.

Barbara Dolan

December 20, 2007

Susan,
It was such a pleasure and an education to be your Physical Therapist these past several years. You always brought your boundless humor, grace and optimism to every session. No matter how you yourself felt, or how discouraged you might be, you never let it stop you. You always wanted to know what you might do to get those muscles working better, or how to be more flexible so you could keep teaching, keep walking, keep going, keep seeing the children you loved so much.
Your courage, strength, devotion to your students and joy in living is an inspiration to us all.
We will always keep you in our hearts. Barbara Dolan

Richard Sheroff

December 12, 2007

I was blessed to meet Suz almost 30 years ago in Natasket Beach. She always told the story about how I protected her from a bully the day we met but in truth, Susan's friendship, advice and laughter always protected and guided me. She had great wisdom and was never shy about sharing her thoughts. She was quite direct. Yet I never heard her say a bad word about any person, well, maybe that bully 30 years ago, but that was it.

Suz always saw the best in everybody and strived to help people achieve their goals. No doubt that was why she was such a great teacher!

Teaching was her passion, travel was her pleasure, and friendship her greatest gift.

I sure miss her.

Penny Johnson

December 6, 2007

I only knew Susan for a short time after I joined the book club in 2005, but she made a powerful impression on me of courage, humor, grittiness, and warmth. She leaves a big hole.

Susan creating art

December 3, 2007

Painting for Joy, etc. June 2007

December 3, 2007

Karine Roesch

December 2, 2007

I'll always remember Sue (Ms. Fink as so many of us parents know her) for her genuine smile, the way she truly cared about everyone and I have to mention her beautiful French. I will miss running into her in town and my son Jesse, who was in her 5th grade class a few years ago, is now on "Ms. Fink-behavior" for the rest of his life. I know so many of us will carry on her beautiful spirit. Every day as we remember her, she continues to touch us in a very special way.

Jordana Morvidelli

December 2, 2007

Susan, You will be missed and remembered fondly!

John, Julie, Owen & Jackson Hooks Davis

December 1, 2007

Susan Fink was a lively intellect wrapped up in an enormous amount of caring.
I’m not sure she ever fully believed us when we said she was like family, but the parts of our hearts that are broken now are parts reserved for more than just friends. Maybe from her new perspective she will finally know how deeply we loved her.

Elissa McEnaney

November 28, 2007

Please join me in memorializing my sister Susan at a work-in-progress site:

http://susandfink.legacy.com/lmw/Homepage.aspx

Sheila Kelley

November 28, 2007

I met Susan last spring at Cancer Connection's Painting for Joy, etc. class. She will be sadly missed. May her many family and friends find comfort in the tapestry of memories. I feel blessed to have known Susan for a short time.

Carmen Montes

November 26, 2007

I did not have the pleasure to meet Ms. Fink, but my son Axel (2nd grader at JSS) did. When he found out that Ms. Fink was terminally ill, he told me very sadly. I said to him, "I am sorry honey, we just need to pray so her sould goes with the angels to meet God in Heaven". He said:"No, I don't want her soul to leave her body, I want it to stay right there, so she can get better and come back to school." "I love her, I don't want her to go".

That tells me what an amazing teacher she must have been.

Hannah Katz

November 25, 2007

Ms. Fink was the greatest teacher anyone could have ever had. Not only was she an incredible teacher, she was an amazing person. For someone to really connect with 4th and 5th graders and change their lives forvever, is truly a gift that Ms. Fink had. I had Ms.Fink in 4th grade and because that year was so amazing we moved, as a class, to the 5th grade. We have remained close and she has always been interested in my life even in my high school years. My memories of Ms.Fink will stay with me forever. She made me the student I am today and I know that she will never be forgotten.


-Hannah Katz

Joan Morvidelli

November 25, 2007

I first met Susan in 1988 when she had worked with my son. She was an intuitive, compassionate, loving presence, who aided her students to self confidence in their own learning styles and in themselves
Susan had a masterful wit, and sense of humor, that endeared her to children and adults.
She shared her curiousity, love of life, and learning with her students, in school and out.
Her dignity and resilence in her continued work at Jackson Street School, while dealing with her cancer, served to show how much teaching and being with her students enriched her daily life, and she theirs.
She was a wonderful woman who packed a lifetime of living into the time she had, and will be missed...
With love and peace,
Joan M.

Amy Alter Pransky

November 24, 2007

I have known Susan since I was 14 years old. I feel so sad to hear of her passing. We were hoping to see her at the Hull reunion this past summer. We tried to contact her several times this summer. She will surely be missed

David Aronson

November 24, 2007

I met Susan at Temple Beth Torah in West Roxbury in 1962. She was in my first grade Hebrew School class with Cantor Erdman. We later became chums when we hung out together down Nantasket with a gang of yids from West Roxbury, Newton, Brookline and Randolph. She really knew how to belt out a tune (often Neil Diamond) and madeus all smile. We've been trying to reach her for about a year to invite her to a reunion we had last summer. Her absence at that reunion made us all wistful for her presence. Sincere condolences to her family and close friends on behalf of her Hull buddies.

Gillian Andrews

November 24, 2007

I was lucky enough to be in a teacher's research group with Susan that has been meeting for over three years in Northampton. Her insight and passion for teaching inspired all of us in that group. Her humor would have us in hysterics and she was always willing to take risks. She will be sorely missed.

Ralph Tisei

November 23, 2007

My memories of Susie always make me smile.

Tom Wartenberg

November 23, 2007

I wanted to share a short clip of Susan from a DVD that I made about work I did at Jackson Street teaching philosophy. The clip shows Susan being passionate about teaching and her students. As I've watched it recently, it brings her back to life for me. I hope others will share that feeling. Visit the site below:

http://tinyurl.com/2c5vkv

Susan and Benjamin at Hanukkah 2006

Dianne Needle

November 23, 2007

Susan became part of our family's life when my brother married her cousin, Debby Fink. We saw Susan for the past ten years at every family holiday hosted at Debby and Dan's house. She was a very special person, and always paid extra special attention to my children. I have attached a few photos of my son Benjamin with Susan when he returned from Marine Bootcamp. Susan held a special place in her heart for Benjamin.

Pia P

November 22, 2007

Ms. Fink,
I will never forget you! You taught me so much! I was one of your very first students in '88 when i was 8 and I am now that teacher that you were once for me at age 27 (but of course you were and always will be the best). I have so many great memories with you!
Thank you for all that you taught me! I love you with all of my heart!
With love always,
Pia ("Whatney" - what she called me)

Rhonda (Kitover) Gabovitch

November 22, 2007

Sincere sympathies to the Fink family. Susie and I were friends in elementary school in West Roxbury and our parents were good friends as well. We had lots of good times together. I will hold these memories close to my heart.

Deb Roussell

November 22, 2007

Susan,
Good times were had by us at Jackson Street School.

Pina Coladas in St. John's with friend and hostess Molly

November 22, 2007

Book Group trip to Cape Cod 2006

Jay Perera

November 22, 2007

Susan, what joy you brought to the book group!

joanne tisei

November 22, 2007

Susie,
Many happy childhood times. You will always be remembered with love and smiles. You are at peace now.......Joanne Tisei and the Tisei families.

Vernon St children - growing up with Susan. Passover 2005

Evan Benjamin

November 22, 2007

Our dear fiend, Susan, will be missed. She was a fixture in our lives having taught our children and many other children on Vernon St in Northampton. She made every child feel special and gave them all her attention and love. The Vernon St families gather for many holidays and Susan was always a part of our world. When she would arrive (late of course!) the kids would mob her - the special guest was here. Attached is a typical photo from a Passover gathering with all the kids surrounding Susan to hear stories and share with her their growing lives.
We will miss you!
Love, Evan, Kristen, Ari and Rose Benjamin

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