Susan Brooke

Susan Lynn Brooke, 73, passed on July 23, 2025, surrounded by the deep love of her children, with both her daughter and son holding her hands as she departed this world. A lifelong Mainer born on September 13, 1951, Susan brought light, humor, and quiet strength to every life she touched, from the mountains of Newry, to Bangor & Brewer, and to the rocky shores of the Maine coast.

Susan lived a life shaped by perseverance and love. She raised her two children on her own, crafting a home full of warmth, creativity, and stability. She returned to Newry to care for her own mother during a difficult time, an act of devotion that became decades of multigenerational caregiving, steeped in grace.

A graduate of the University of Southern Maine, Susan spent much of her professional life as a librarian, a role that aligned with her passions for books, storytelling, and quiet discovery. She was a writer at heart, and her journals and stories reflected her rich inner world, her wit, and her observant soul.

She spent most of her life in Newry and retired to Bangor to be near her son and family. Her chocolate peanut butter bars achieved near-legendary status among family and friends, and more than one niece or nephew knew her affectionately as "Aunt Cookie."

Susan was a lifelong crafter and floral gardener with a true gift for making things bloom. Her home was always welcoming, filled with books, baked goods, and laughter. She devoured cozy mysteries and Jane Austen novels, and she long dreamed of visiting the UK. She made do with little while always making the most of it.

She found deep peace by the sea, and delighted in collecting shells and sea glass on the Maine coast - tokens of nature's resilience and beauty, much like Susan herself. These treasures will be incorporated into a keepsake memorial for those who loved her.

Even in her final days, she cracked jokes, smiled through pain, and was such a sweet patient that all the nurses loved her. She never stopped trying to go for her beloved walks. Her strength was quiet but formidable and it is woven into the lives she nurtured and the space she held for others.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Thomas Wight. She is survived by her children, Dr. Jennifer L. Bowie and Christopher A. Bowie; her children's spouses, William Ruhsam and Sarah Bowie; her grandchildren, Nathaniel Bowie, Elizabeth Bowie, and Griffin Ruhsam; her brothers and their spouses, Bill and Gail Brooke, Randy and Audrey Brooke, Matt and Donna Wight, Scott Wight; her sister-in-law, Edith Murphy; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will miss her generous heart, quick humor, and steady presence.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 13 (her birthday), at Lamoine Beach Park (828 Lamoine Beach Road, Lamine, ME) to celebrate her life with a 4:00 afternoon tea, honoring her in a way she would have adored: surrounded by loved ones, with laughter, stories, good food, and the sea at her back.

Gifts in Susan's memory may be made to the Susan L. Brooke & Sue L. Wight Memorial Scholarship at https://www.givecampus.com/s/v3m7zd.