Susan Ann "Sue" McCaslin

1944 - 2023

New London - Susan Ann (Conboy) McCaslin, 78, passed away Sept. 2, 2023, at Fairview Nursing Home in Groton, after a long battle with Alzheimer's Disease. She was born Oct. 16, 1944, in New London, the daughter Thomas P. and Mabel (Olsen) Conboy.

Educated in New London schools, Susan was a proud New London High School Whaler, Class of 1962. She enjoyed her school life immensely and actively participated in planning all the 1962 class reunions and events. Susan married Edwin K. "Skip" McCaslin Jr. Aug. 26, 1966, in Assumption Chapel at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church. Skip died July 8, 1985. On Dec. 20, 1986, she was united marriage to Richard Allen "Denny" Dennis Sr., at the Vauxhall Inn, New London. Denny passed away July 20, 2014. Although she and Skip bought their home in Ridgewood Park, Waterford in 1975, she always considered herself a New Londoner and never tired of the architecture of the downtown, the beauty of the Garde Theater or the million dollar views from Ocean Beach Park.

A former news reporter for both The Day and the Norwich Bulletin, she wrote under the byline "Sue McCaslin," a general assignment and Superior Court reporter at The Day. She was New London County Bureau Chief for the Bulletin. For several years in the 1980s, Susan was an executive assistant to the Connecticut Commissioner of Consumer Protection. Upon leaving the state service, she became head steward at the New London Lodge of Elks from 1991 to 2014.

Susan loved to travel whenever possible. Among her favorite trips were to Montreal and Bermuda with Skip; to Denny's birthplace at St. Juan Capistrano Mission in California; and to Ireland with her son Sean. Notable trips with "The Girls" included the Kentucky Derby, the St. Patrick's Day Parade and River Fest in Savannah, Ga. Whether it was one of the many weekends in New York City or a week in Portugal, the girls always had some crazy exploits to share.

Susan was involved for many years with the Democratic Party in both New London and Waterford. A longtime member and secretary of the Waterford Democratic Town Committee, she was elected to three two-year terms on the Waterford Representative Town Meeting (1981-87). For more than a decade, she was Waterford Representative to SEAT. She was actively involved as a volunteer in numerous civic and chartable organizations, including New London Lodge of Els, the former NL Marine Commerce & Development Committee, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Salvation Army and others. She was a longtime Notary Public and Justice of the Peace.

Besides her parents and husbands, Susan is predeceased by her only sister Marjorie (Conboy) Farina; her brothers-in-law, Frank J. Farina Jr., Albert Dittman, and Kevin and Stephen McCaslin; and a sister-in law, Barbara (McCaslin) Kelly. She is survived by her son, Sean and his husband Kyle Smith; her sister's seven children and their families; and Skip's sisters and their families: Valerie (McCaslin) Dittman, Monica (McCaslin) Von Winkle and her husband Karl.

The family would like to thank all the nurses and staff at Fairview for their compassionate and professional care they provided to Susan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Save Ocean Beach or the Alzheimer's Association.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Avenue, New London. There will be a one hour calling as well on Saturday, Sept. 9, with a funeral home service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Jefferson Ave., New London. Online condolences may be expressed at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.