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Obituary: Suzanne ‘Sussie’ McKean

Suzanne “Sussie” Eldridge McKean of Boca Grande and Castine, Maine passed away on  February 1 after a valiant battle with cancer. Mrs. McKean was born in Harrisburg, Pa. on January 23, 1932.

She leaves behind her husband of 54 years, Frank (Skip) McKean and three daughters, Meg Taylor (Dick) of Albany, N.Y., Lindsay Scott (Phil) of Maplewood, N.J., and Mason Hoeller (John) of Basking Ridge, N.J. In addition she is survived by a sister, Ginger McNeese, of Lexington, Va. and 11 grandchildren, who lovingly know her as Nanny: Alex, Greer, and Hildy Schott, Monica and Nicholas Taylor, Charlotte, Ned, Henry, and Mimi Scott, and Peter and Ted Hoeller.

A graduate of Skidmore College, Sussie moved to Fox Chapel in Pittsburgh as a bride in 1955. She and Skip have been residents of Boca Grande since 1986, and have divided their year between Boca Grande and Castine since 1995.

As a volunteer, no job was too big or too small for Sussie’s skilled attention and she raised countless dollars that benefited these communities.

She was the president of the Junior League of Pittsburgh from 1972 to 1974. In recent years she was president of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club and was also chair of the Woman’s Club annual gala, silent auction for the gala, and Woman’s Club annual fair. While president of the Woman’s Club, she was instrumental in getting approval for The Island School in Boca Grande.

A former tennis player and downhill skier, Sussie was an avid golfer. She was a member of Lemon Bay Golf Club, the Boca Grande Club, Useppa Island Club and the Castine Golf Club. Sussie was a collector of American antiques and a peerless and gracious hostess. She loved to travel and in recent years she and Skip visited Greece and South America. She was a devoted wife and mother and a wonderful and doting grandmother.

A service will be held in Boca Grande on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the Crowninshield House, 131 Banyan Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church or Trinity Episcopal Church.