Susan Cookman Morris Passes Away at 81

The Precious Life of Susan Cookman Morris, 81, of Marblehead, known to friends and family as Susie, was cut short on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 at Salem Hospital, while surrounded by her devoted and loving family. She was the beloved wife of Edwin (“Eddie”) B. Morris III, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage.

Susan was born in Stamford, Connecticut, daughter of Briant Stephenson Cookman and Margaret Ames Cookman. She adored her father who died in 1967. He used to call her “Sudie,” and she missed him every day. Susie had no middle name, and her mother used to tell friends, “We hope one day it will be Cookman.” She was the sister of George Eustis Cookman (Sally) of Harpswell, Maine, and the late Briant Stephenson Cookman, Jr. She is also survived by her two adoring nieces, Maggie Cookman Schaffer (Ben) of Venice, CA and Suzanne Cookman Roberge (David) of Kensington, NH. The girls enjoyed an exceptionally special relationship with their Auntie, who made sure to instill in them a passion for shoes and fashion. In addition, she is survived by two grand nephews, Liam George Roberge and August Morris Schaffer, and a grand niece, Audrey Grace Roberge, each of whom delighted her.

Susie attended primary schools in Stamford, CT, and graduated from Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA in 1959. She made her debut at the Stamford Debutante Ball in 1959.  She attended Smith College, graduating with a BA in Religion in 1963. While at Smith, Susie was an active participant in the Smith College Choir, and the a capella singing group, the Octavians.  In December, 1961, The Smith College Choir Joined with the Wesleyan College Choir in the singing of Handel’s Messiah. Susie sang soprano and her Cousin, Allen Ames, sang Bass at Wesleyan. She continued to sing regularly at family gatherings, often accompanied by her brother, George. The Doxology was always sung at family dinners.

Susie moved to Boston after college, working at Jordan Marsh for the 1963 Christmas season. She attended Hitchcock Secretarial School, followed by a job at GE Medinet Hospital Systems, and a stint in Advertising where she was a media buyer.

In 1968, Susie finally got her middle name when she married Eddie in the front yard of her parents’ Stamford home. They lived at Leslie Cove in Marblehead for five years before purchasing their forever home on Front Street, where one of their guest bedrooms was named “The Happy Room”. She delighted passers-by with her silly door décor for every season, and fun trinkets, figurines, teacups, etc. in the windows along Front Street. While in Marblehead, Susie volunteered at Salem Hospital, later serving as Chairman of the Visiting Nurses Association. Her final career was as an Administrator in the Urology Department at Mass General Hospital, where she made many friends including doctors, nurses, and a janitor (who was one of her favorite people).

Susie served as First Mate on their three boats, Equity I, II, and III, and Skipper of Puddle Duck, a Duffy boat with blue & white striped bimini top. They would take sunset cocktail cruises around Marblehead Harbor. She and Ed have been members of Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead since 1972. They took many cruises aboard Equity II & III. One year, she enjoyed being socked in by the fog in Castine, Maine where, according to Susie, “the shopping was great!”. They took several trips to Europe, especially focusing on Italy. They attended niece Maggie’s wedding in Cinque Terre, Italy in 2017.

More than anything, Susie cherished her time spent with family and friends. If you knew Susie, you knew you were loved, because she would frequently tell you so. Her favorite was, “I love you THIS much!”, while spreading her arms as far as they would go. She signed her correspondence to loved ones with several x’s and o’s. Her large & ever-growing collection of silly/wacky jewelry, shoes, hats, and other accessories meant that she had the perfect ensemble for any and every occasion, which always bought a smile to the faces of loved ones and strangers.

Burial at Waterside Cemetery in Marblehead will be private. A Celebration of Life will be held in 2023. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for the Morris & Cookman family.