Susan C. O'Donnell

OBITUARY - Susan C. O'Donnell

Well let me tell you 'bout the way she looked, the way she'd act and the color of her hair, her voice was soft and cool, her eyes were clear and bright - but she's not there.

Having long ago robbed her of her memory and her essence, Alzheimer's has finally claimed the life as well of Susan C. O'Donnell who passed away on December 1, 2025. Susan was born in Plainfield N. J. on November 2nd, 1944, daughter of Marvin & Dorothy Champlin. She grew up in Pennsylvania before moving to New Jersey where she graduated from high school in Scotch Plains. Upon earning her Bachelor's Degree from Muhlenberg College in 1966, Susan began teaching courses at Lehigh University. She then worked for Control Data, one of the early computer companies before she moved to Maine in 1969 and began working for the Department of Human Sevices first as a social worker and later as a researcher in the Planning & Evaluation component of that agency. It was there she met her future husband Owen whom she married in 1971.

Taking time off for the birth of her first child Susan then worked as a customer service rep at L. L. Bean and then Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Using all her multiple and eclectic skills she then became the Assistant Director of Southern Regional Alcoholism and Abuse Council of Maine traveling the State writing and reviewing grants for those agencies providing various treatment modalities for addiction. In 1986 Susan moved on to become the Executive Director of Crossroads for Women in Windham and remained in that position for 10 years until she had to resign in order to help care for her aging parents who lived out of state.

Susan and Owen raised their two daughters in Cumberland Center; in a drafty old farmhouse much like the one in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE - which it was. After her parents died Susan returned to the workforce one more time right there in Cumberland. She found a less stressful, outdoor, seasonal, part-time job working at Sweeters Apple Barrel. Pruning apple trees in the Spring, later picking the apples in the Fall and finally functioning as the Market Manager selling the apples until the Market closed after Thanksgiving was something she enjoyed very much and did for many years until moving to Portland in 2006.

Growing up, Susan's family vacations, for at least a dozen years, were always spent at Gilbert Lake in Upstate New York. Likewise, Owen & Susan spent their vacations at Sebago Lake for about the same number of years. After their daughters had grown up, Susan (with Owen) returned to Gilbert Lake for a number of Summers which afforded her an opportunity to spend time with cousins and Owen got to enjoy the Baseball Hall of Fame. They did some traveling out of the country as well. They were able to take a half dozen trips to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales to explore their roots, the last one being in 2018.

Susan was a animal lover, "All Creatures Great & Small", especially dogs whom seemed to sense that she wanted to be THEIR best friend. When she wasn't getting to know and petting a dog she just met, Susan's nose was likely in a book. As an avid reader, she particularly enjoyed English murder mysteries, and over the years accumulated a vast collection of them. Susan was a member of St. Ansgar Lutheran Church where she once sang in the choir there. Besides her husband, Susan is survived by daughters Melissa (Matt) Eckert of Cambridge MA and Megan (Todd) Bridgeo of Kennebunk and 4 terrific grandsons: Alex, Jamie, Noel and Owen. She is pre-deceased by her only sibling Barbara.

Only know that you love her when you let her go.............and you let her go.

Rest in Peace SUKIE RU

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date to be announced . If one would like to make a donation in her memory it can be directed to either The Sam L. Cohen Adult Day Center c/o Southern Maine Agency on Aging 30 Barra Road Biddeford, Maine 04005 or the Azheimer's Association, Maine Chapter 383 US Rt 1 Suite 2C Sacarborough Maine 04074