Wendell, MA — Suzanna Thomas Wilbur, 83, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2022 at her daughter's home in Wendell, MA under the care of Overlook Hospice.
She grew up in Pittsfield, MA the daughter of Evelyn (Thomas) Wilbur and Francis Franklin Crannell Wilbur. Her only sibling, younger brother Richard Wilbur, predeceased her in 2016.
After graduating from Pittsfield High School she continued studies at Cottey College in Missouri and then completed an education degree in 1960 from the former North Adams State Teachers College in North Adams, MA. After graduating she married and raised three children in North Adams. Sue was a nurturing stay-at-home mom, Brownie Leader, PTA volunteer, and was involved with the Fresh Air Fund.
When Sue's marriage ended the 1970's she began an apprenticeship with Swedish designer/weaver and dear friend Margareta Grandin Nettles at Hoosuck Community Resources. She helped create and manage the retail store there then worked at The Potters Wheel in Williamstown, MA. She eventually moved to Nantucket Island to weave at Margareta G. Nettles Weaving Studio.
Sue moved to Lanesborough, MA for three years to care for her father until he passed away. She then relocated to Northampton, MA in 1992. She took a position at Silverscape Designs where she worked for 15 years in sales at the Northampton store and managing the Amherst store. She loved her coworkers and her years at Silverscape were very fulfilling for her.
In her retirement she loved spending time with her family, especially her four grandchildren, who affectionately called her "Granny Sue". She was a regular at the Northampton Senior Center where she made friends and was a regular at exercise classes. Sue enjoyed traveling to places like England, Italy, Greece, Mexico, and California. She loved the adventure of travel and getting lost in new places. She spent her last three years at Linda Manor LEP where she was cared for by a staff of wonderful people. She was known for her love of Sudoku, Bingo, and walking.
She leaves her son Gregor Bernard and his partner Jayne Johnson of Milford, NH, her daughter Gretchen (Bernard) Jennings and her husband Mike Jennings and their children Chris Jennings and Joy Jennings all of Northampton, MA, and her daughter Kristen Bernard and her husband Dean Bernard and their children Marley Bernard and Astha Bernard of Wendell, MA. She was predeceased by her ex- husband Thomas Bernard of North Adams, MA. She leaves two nephews Jeff Wilbur and Trevor Wilbur both of Pittsfield, MA.
Those who knew Sue will remember her as a rebel with a quirky wit and a free will. She looked at the world around her with deep artistic appreciation and was known to say, "I think of the clouds as works of art in the sky". She was clear about not wanting a wake or funeral services and instead asked her family to have a celebration of life party for her at a later date. If you would like to honor her memory please make a donation to the Northampton Senior Center at www.northamptonma.gov/2298/Donate.
Williamsburg Funeral Home was entrusted with her care.