Susan "Sue" Wagner

Jupiter, Fla. - Susan "Sue" Wagner, age 85, of Jupiter, Fla., passed away May 16, 2024. Sue was born and raised in Ridgewood, N.J. After graduating from high school, she moved to Groton. She worked in a lab at Pfizer, where she met her husband, Dick Wagner. Sue and her husband moved to East Lyme to raise their daughter, Kathleen.

She went to college and earned her bachelor's degree in child development from Connecticut College and then, her special education degree from Southeastern CT State College. She completed her studies, all while raising her daughter and being an active member of the community. She was a long-time Little League coach and actively involved in the town's Parks and Recreation Department. Sue enjoyed her position at the Connecticut College Special Needs Program. She worked with children from the ages of birth to five with a variety of challenges. She taught sign language, took the children on numerous field trips and developed lasting relationships with the students' families. Sue also shared her woodworking talents with the program, by building countless puzzles, play kitchens and other specialized equipment. Sue retired from teaching to move to South Florida with her husband. They settled in Atlantis, Fla., and embraced their new community. Sue golfed several times a week, worked out at Curves and volunteered in her community. She added basket-making to her list of hobbies and made a wonderful selection of baskets that will be enjoyed for many years. Sue moved to Addington Place in Jupiter during the pandemic in 2020, and once again embraced a new community. She met new friends, enjoyed playing bridge, Rummikub, Jeopardy, Bingo, and having pizza night with her friends.

Sue's greatest joys were her grandchildren, Jackson and Lauren. She was proud of their achievements and enjoyed watching them grow up. Sue is survived by her daughter, Kathleen; her son-in-law, Matthew Slater; and her granddaughter, Lauren Slater, all of Jupiter, Fla. She was predeceased by her husband Richard Wagner in 2007; and her grandson, Jackson Slater in 2023.

Sue's family would like to thank Joan Fitzsimmons, Sabrina Lester and Angela Angelo for their compassionate and excellent care over the past year. Thank you to the staff at Living Life at Home who helped provide care and staffing over the last six months. Sue was grateful for the care she received from Sheron, Elotte, Yves and Virginia. They went above and beyond to make her comfortable in her own home.

The family asks that you may consider a donation in Sue's honor to: Connecticut College Child Development Lab School; Attention: Kathryn O' Connor, 270 Mohegan Avenue, New London, CT 06320.