Susan Stoeckly Stitt, of Amherst, passed away from breast cancer in her home on the morning of March 28th, 2011.

Sue was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, in 1946. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Hope College, in Holland, Michigan, where she met and fell in love with a local hooligan, Steve Stitt, her future husband of 41 years. She was a lifelong Girl Scout, inspiring many young women through her work; trustee of the Bean Foundation; member of the Amherst School Board for nine years, chairperson for seven of those years; and the town witch, Esmeralda, who visited Amherst’s public schools for years to educate students about the difference between reality and make-believe. She loved performing at the theatre, acting and singing in many PTA plays as well as professionally at area theatres and singing with a NH chorale group that traveled throughout China.

She loved to cook and was always eager to try new recipes for her family and friends.

Her most recent passion involved her work as an Operations Manager at Hewlett-Packard. It allowed her to travel around the world and visit her colleagues in Europe, Singapore, India, China, and Colombia.

Sue is survived by her husband, Steve; her daughters, Jess, Liz, and Rachel; her sons-in-law, Christos and Christopher; her grandson, Ajax; her mother, Roberta; her siblings, Robert and Jean; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

There will be an open house at Sue’s family home in Amherst, on Saturday, April 2, 2011, from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. Friends are invited to celebrate Sue’s life and passions with her family.

At Sue’s request, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, or a charity of your choice.