Obituaries

Our beloved sister, Susan Ann (Adams) Reilly, died Tuesday, August 4, 2015, following a courageous battle with breast cancer, her third since 1984. She was 72. Her extended family and friends were with her during the many months of hopeful struggle, and until the moment of her death. She was one of the finest women we have known; one of the brightest shining examples of humanity this society is able to produce. We feel fortunate to have been in this world with her.

Susan leaves an enormous void in our lives. We are heartbroken. She enjoyed an uncommonly deep and loving bond with many who knew and loved her.  Her kindness touched countless lives. And it is no understatement to say that many nieces and nephews spanning three generations adored her.

The daughter of the late Theodore Dana Adams and Frances (Morrissey) Adams, Susan grew up in Quincy, attended St. John’s elementary school, class of 1956, Archbishop Williams High School, Braintree, class of 1960, Bridgewater State Teachers College, class of 1964, and earned her Masters in Education degree from Boston University in 1973. She taught English for nearly thirty-eight years at Atlantic Junior and North Quincy High Schools, until her early retirement in 2002.

Sue moved to Braintree in 1973 with her then-husband, and has been an active member of St. Francis of Assisi parish since that time, both as a Eucharistic Minister and a committed volunteer councilor in her church’s Bereavement Group, where she continued employing the skills she honed over many years as a volunteer working with Hospice of the South Shore grief groups. She also helped establish and co-lead a Grief and Loss Group at North Quincy High School.

Our sister loved her Catholic faith and her parish at St. Francis, and the church was central to her spirit. She lived the tenets of its teachings every day. Never preaching, she simply led by example. One of her several traveling “girlfriends” told of their trip to Rome, saying: “We prayed in 19 churches in one day.”

Sue was selfless and generous to a fault, and her empathy knew no boundaries, including putting her own life on hold for her mother and aunt during their declining years, assuming the role of devoted caregiver. During her lifetime, she touched uncountable lives. Her charitable giving was ingrained in her, and she was always welcoming, her home open for visiting and for a waiting cup of tea.

Sue always had a ready smile, which belied her chronic pain due to rheumatoid arthritis, acquired in her early teens. Despite several surgeries that allowed her to use her hands and walk, she never complained, and would not be slowed down or limited in her pursuit of helping others or simply living life to its fullest. A dear friend and traveling companion recalled her “warm, generous and adventurous spirit.”

She was not a bystander. In her retirement, Sue remained as active and involved as she had been when working. Besides her bereavement counseling, she tirelessly tutored college-bound students with their application essays at North Quincy High School, Elizabeth Seton Academy in Dorchester, nieces, nephews and many neighborhood children.

Susan’s refuge and get-away was her cottage at Cape Neddick, Maine. Her “favorite place on earth,” a friend said. It was her constant destination on weekends and holidays, where she loved to entertain her many loyal friends and family, or simply relax alone with her beloved dog and companion she named “Tom Brady,” which she rescued on the day he was to be taken to a pound.

Besides helping others, Sue’s passions included reading, her book club, sewing, cooking, nature, the birds at her feeders, the arts and theater, visiting museums, castles and pubs in Ireland, trips to P.E.I., Canada, and spending time with family and friends, several of whom have remained close since early childhood.

Sue’s close personal friends exceeded any number that most of us typically are fortunate to have. She was admired and highly regarded by colleagues, friends and strangers for her decency, her intellect, for her dignity, and for her grace in the face of adversity.

Susan is preceded in death by her recently late brother and “Irish Twin,” Ted Adams, Jr. of Marshfield, whom she loved deeply, and her recently late beloved aunt, Jean Morrissey of Quincy. She is survived by her four brothers and their wives, including Richard and his wife Caren of Newton, Philip of Quincy, Douglas and his wife Iris of Andover, James and his wife Robyn of Quincy, sisters-in-law Glenda Adams of Marshfield and Billie Jo Adams of Franklin, her devoted step-children, her many nieces, nephews and dear friends, and her precious dog, “Tom Brady.”

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, August 10 from 4:00 to 8:00PM at the Dennis Sweeney Funeral Home 74 Elm St. Quincy Center. Family and friends are invited. On Tuesday there will be a gathering at the funeral home at 9:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30AM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Braintree. Cremation will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any charity of your choosing. Our family is supremely grateful to, and wishes to thank the Massachusetts General Hospital Oncology and Palliative Care physicians, nurses and technicians, who provided Sue with the most compassionate, kind and professional care for which any family could have hoped.