CURRENT CELEBRATIONS

Susan Brown

“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle”- Churchill. From age 4 Susan was in breeches and boots, winning many a ribbon, mostly show jumping. But her real calling in life was to be a mom. The late Tyler certainly had two engaged parents, but Susan was undoubtedly his caregiver, though she wasn’t of the helicopter variety. She’d encourage him to venture out and explore his world. They were peas in a pod; as a young child she’d buy him hearing protection so they could share the riding mower. The Brown home would be a joyous place full of love and cats and dogs and chickens and ducks and whatever other animals happened to cross her path. Susan named her dogs after wines and her cats after candy; the chickens and ducks named by personality. When Susan heard someone was exploring colleges she’d go into full marketing mode for her alma mater, James Madison University. If her T.V. was on she’d be checking out some period pieces usually with a glass of cabernet sauvignon in hand. She was born in Camden and raised in Haddonfield Township and was a graduate of Haddon Township High School. Susan brought her calming ways to the workplace as a risk manager for Universal Health Services.
Through friends she’d meet a handsome guy named Russell. He asked for her number; without pen and paper he had to memorize it. Their first dates would be a whirlwind including the most romantic of dates to Jay’s Elbow Room and tie shopping. They both loved dalmatians. Russ wowed her with the word esoteric. Within months it was clear they were on a journey to marriage but they thought maybe they should keep it quiet. Problem was it was obvious to everyone.
She is survived by her husband, Russell and her sister, Sally Ritchie Burns (Greg) and was pre-deceased by her son, Tyler and her parents, Bill and June Ritchie.
Come celebrate 61 great years Friday 9-12 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro where there will be a noon service. Interment Lake Park Cemetery, Swedesboro. Donations in lieu of flowers to Tyler’s Camp (https://summercollab.org/take-action/donate/) will be appreciated.