Susan Phelps Day

Susan Phelps Day of Kensington, California and Avon, Connecticut, passed away peacefully in Alameda, California on May 28, 2024, at age 85, with her beloved husband and children by her side.
Born in New York City on January 8, 1939, and raised in the Woodlawn neighborhood of the Bronx, Susan (Sue) was the oldest of two daughters and attended P.S. 19 followed by Evander Childs High School. She attended Cornell University, where she earned Bachelors as well as Masters degrees in Education and met and fell in love with her future husband, William H. (Bill) Day while establishing her life-long devotion to everything about Cornell. Sue and Bill married in 1961, shortly after she earned her MEd degree.
Sue began her career teaching First Grade at Greenwood School in Melrose, Massachusetts. Later, she and Bill moved to Schenectady, New York, in the first of several moves over the years associated with Bills career. As a young mother Sue was a substitute teacher in local elementary schools. It was during these Schenectady years when Sues deep passion for community service and public school education took hold and began to flourish. Sue served as school PTA president, member of district-wide committees tackling difficult decisions in response to post- baby boom declining enrollment, Girl Scout leader, and as a leader in the Schenectady Junior League. Sue organized many gatherings and activities in her beloved Woodhaven neighborhood in Scotia, where she and Bill established cherished friendships with fellow young parents in the community.
Later on, Sue and her family moved to Simsbury, Connecticut, and then Greensburg, Pennsylvania, before relocating back to Avon, Connecticut, where Sue and Bill lived for 24 years. In each place where she lived, Sue contributed to local communities, serving on local Girl Scout boards and taking on leadership roles in church communities. Sue was particularly active in the Avon Congregational Church, where she served as president of the congregation. During Sues tenure she advocated for and established the Avon Nursery School at the church, which continues to thrive. Together with Bill, Sue contributed to efforts to modernize church facilities, such as a new Fellowship Hall and air conditioning the church. Also while living in Avon, Sue resumed her professional career, serving as an administrator at Trinity College in Hartford.
Throughout her entire adult life, Sue was deeply devoted to her alma mater, Cornell University. She served as President of the Cornell Class of 1960 for more than 50 years, setting reunion attendance and participation records and establishing financial aid scholarships for undergraduates. Sue served as President of the Cornell Association of Class Officers and she was on the Cornell Federation board as well as the Cornell Council, while also actively participating in local Cornell Clubs wherever she and Bill were living. In 1995, she was in the inaugural cohort of recipients to receive Cornells Frank H.T. Rhodes Exemplary Alumni Service award. Sue was committed to Cornells founding mission of "any person, any study," meaning that people from all walks of life, all income levels, races, religions and genders could attend Cornell University with freedom to pursue academic interests wherever they lead.
In 2009, Sue and Bill relocated to Kensington, California, where true to form Sue dove right into her new local communities, including the Arlington Community Church (United Church of Christ), and the Berkeley Garden Club. During their Kensington years, Sue and Bill cared for their California grandchildren after school supervising homework, driving carpools, making holiday decorations and teaching them to play hearts, cribbage and bridge. Ever the Girl Scout leader, Sue managed the local troops inventory for annual Girl Scout Cookie sales.
A child of the city, Sue came to appreciate each place where she and Bill lived over their many years together. Cape May, New Jersey was a common thread throughout Sues life. It served as a touchstone to her own childhood memories, as well as a source of precious newer memories, especially with her East Coast granddaughters building sand castles, visiting the boardwalk arcade, playing endless games of mini golf, and watching the waves crash on the beach. Sue loved hosting family and friends in Cape May, and sharing her love of this place that was so special to her.
Sue was beloved by many. She possessed a strong passion for education and cared deeply about her many communities. She was a strong-willed and fiercely loyal person who possessed multifaceted organizational skills, a quick mind, sharp wit, and a direct communication style coupled with empathy.
Sues greatest joy in life was her family her husband, children and grandchildren. Her passing leaves a void, but her legacy as a loving wife, caring mother, beloved grandmother, and advocate for education and her communities will endure.
Sue is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, William Hudson Day, their son Andrew Phelps Day (wife Susan and daughters Stephanie and Emily), their daughter Carolyn Day Flowers (husband David and children William and Catherine), her sister Mary Phelps Oesterreich (husband Harold and children Mark, Nancy and Eric) and numerous other cherished relatives.
Sues generous spirit will be tremendously missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in the form of contributions to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society. A celebration of Sues life is being planned to take place on August 24, 2024, at the Avon Congregational Church in Avon, Connecticut. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Susan, please visit our Tree Store.