Obituary for Suzanne E. Pedretti, (Piper)
South Thomaston- Suzanne E. Pedretti, 75, passed away on July 8th, 2019 at the Sussman House in Rockport, ME. with her loving family by her side. Born in St. Johnsbury, VT. On October 9th, 1943 the middle daughter of Glenn W. Piper and Dorothy Simpson Piper. As soon as Suzanne could walk without falling over, tap shoes were strapped on her feet and a budding dancer (hopefully) was born. Sue and her older sister, Diane, also sang together and were invited to have their own 15-minute radio show in that town. (Of course, that was before TV had come to rural Vermont.)
The family moved to Connecticut when Sue started the 4th grade, which began a more “citified process” and now youngest sister, Jane, joined us as the Piper Sisters Trio. Mom, accompanied us on the piano as we began taking ballet, enpoint, piano lessons, singing lessons..to prepare us for fame someday.
After graduating from Wethersfield High School, Sue honed her executive secretarial skills at Central Connecticut State College, working briefly for an advertising agency in Hartford before joining the Hartford Insurance Group. Her first marriage, to high school sweetheart Joseph E. Pehr, ended with lessons learned. Her employment at the Hartford in the home office spanned over 30 years, much of it in the old Personnel/Human Resources Department, where she was known as a silly poet, and writer of “Odes” for fun.
Her second (true) marriage in 1974 was to Donald F. Pedretti, the man she was meant to be with. Together, they vacationed at Cape Cod, started collecting their life long love of antiques, travelled abroad, while enjoying their respective careers. Their favorite achievement was buying the historic 1769 Benjamin Colton House in West Hartford, that time period from the past that seemed to resonate with both Don and Sue.
Her interests were many, music, creative writing, sewing, quilting, entertaining, on the prowl for antiques for their home, attending numerous auctions. Sue made many life-long friends at the Hartford in 30 years. Her close relationships were among her treasures.
Taking early retirement to Mid-Coast Maine in 1997, Sue and Don also took on the daunting task of restoring an antique sea captains home while immersing themselves in learning the antiques business. Both musical, the Pedrettis joined the choir at the Thomaston Federated Church while working on their old home. Their activities were soon derailed by Don’s tragic medical diagnosis, from which he died 10 years later in 2008.
Sue , always a lover of books and writing, joined Literacy Volunteers as an English and Writing Tutor, while serving as secretary of the Literacy Board of Directors until a serious medical diagnosis took over. Steeped in studying spiritual wisdom, her strong faith (We’re always alive somewhere!!) and her belief in natural healing foods and supplements helped her thrive well beyond the year of two prediction of her oncologist. “If I can’t be a good example to others, then I’ll just enjoy being a bad one”.
In 2017 Sue teamed up with a fellow church member at Rockland Congregational Church with a great voice, Philip Anderson, calling themselves “Two for a Song”. Sue played keyboard for Phil, playing completely by ear, while Phil played drums and sang many old standards that everyone seemed to love. It was a perfect blend of their talents, entertaining at local senior centers and nursing facilities in Camden and Rockland.
Sue’s ready smile, an open heart, and caring nature earned her many friends as well as the sure certainty that life continues beyond this earth we call home. She wishes to gratefully thank her sister, Jane Piper, Kristine Anderson, Al Yattaw, Janet Gleeson, Pat and Dick Walton and the wonderful hospice staff and volunteers for taking such loving care of her.
Sue was predeceased by her parents, her husband Don, and a sister Diane Piper Waters.
She is survived by her sister Jane Piper of Thomaston, Maine along with loving nieces, nephews , cousins and many friends.
A celebration of life for Suzanne will be held on July 20th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock St. Rockland, Maine with Pastor Seth Jones officiating. A reception will follow the service in the community room at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations in Suzanne’s name be made to The Sussman House/PBWHfnd.,22 White Street, Rockland, ME. 04841.
Hall’s of Thomaston, 78 Main Street, Thomaston, ME. 04861 has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
The family moved to Connecticut when Sue started the 4th grade, which began a more “citified process” and now youngest sister, Jane, joined us as the Piper Sisters Trio. Mom, accompanied us on the piano as we began taking ballet, enpoint, piano lessons, singing lessons..to prepare us for fame someday.
After graduating from Wethersfield High School, Sue honed her executive secretarial skills at Central Connecticut State College, working briefly for an advertising agency in Hartford before joining the Hartford Insurance Group. Her first marriage, to high school sweetheart Joseph E. Pehr, ended with lessons learned. Her employment at the Hartford in the home office spanned over 30 years, much of it in the old Personnel/Human Resources Department, where she was known as a silly poet, and writer of “Odes” for fun.
Her second (true) marriage in 1974 was to Donald F. Pedretti, the man she was meant to be with. Together, they vacationed at Cape Cod, started collecting their life long love of antiques, travelled abroad, while enjoying their respective careers. Their favorite achievement was buying the historic 1769 Benjamin Colton House in West Hartford, that time period from the past that seemed to resonate with both Don and Sue.
Her interests were many, music, creative writing, sewing, quilting, entertaining, on the prowl for antiques for their home, attending numerous auctions. Sue made many life-long friends at the Hartford in 30 years. Her close relationships were among her treasures.
Taking early retirement to Mid-Coast Maine in 1997, Sue and Don also took on the daunting task of restoring an antique sea captains home while immersing themselves in learning the antiques business. Both musical, the Pedrettis joined the choir at the Thomaston Federated Church while working on their old home. Their activities were soon derailed by Don’s tragic medical diagnosis, from which he died 10 years later in 2008.
Sue , always a lover of books and writing, joined Literacy Volunteers as an English and Writing Tutor, while serving as secretary of the Literacy Board of Directors until a serious medical diagnosis took over. Steeped in studying spiritual wisdom, her strong faith (We’re always alive somewhere!!) and her belief in natural healing foods and supplements helped her thrive well beyond the year of two prediction of her oncologist. “If I can’t be a good example to others, then I’ll just enjoy being a bad one”.
In 2017 Sue teamed up with a fellow church member at Rockland Congregational Church with a great voice, Philip Anderson, calling themselves “Two for a Song”. Sue played keyboard for Phil, playing completely by ear, while Phil played drums and sang many old standards that everyone seemed to love. It was a perfect blend of their talents, entertaining at local senior centers and nursing facilities in Camden and Rockland.
Sue’s ready smile, an open heart, and caring nature earned her many friends as well as the sure certainty that life continues beyond this earth we call home. She wishes to gratefully thank her sister, Jane Piper, Kristine Anderson, Al Yattaw, Janet Gleeson, Pat and Dick Walton and the wonderful hospice staff and volunteers for taking such loving care of her.
Sue was predeceased by her parents, her husband Don, and a sister Diane Piper Waters.
She is survived by her sister Jane Piper of Thomaston, Maine along with loving nieces, nephews , cousins and many friends.
A celebration of life for Suzanne will be held on July 20th, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Rockland Congregational Church, 180 Limerock St. Rockland, Maine with Pastor Seth Jones officiating. A reception will follow the service in the community room at the church.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations in Suzanne’s name be made to The Sussman House/PBWHfnd.,22 White Street, Rockland, ME. 04841.
Hall’s of Thomaston, 78 Main Street, Thomaston, ME. 04861 has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com.