Suzanne Scott Price, also known as Mom, Susie, Gram, and G.G., passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Crane's Mill of West Caldwell, at the age of 93. She was born on July 12, 1930 in her childhood home in Glen Ridge and was graduated from Glen Ridge High School in 1948.
She attended Wellesley College and then Bradford Jr. College, where she was graduated in 1951. She went on to graduate from the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in 1953. Susie worked for the Japan Society Inc. in NYC for the next three years, getting to know the Rockefeller family. During this time she married Douglas Price in 1955 and moved to Montclair, living in three different homes over the next 43 years. It was in 1998 that she and Doug would sell their home of 29 years to move into the newly-constructed cottage at Crane's Mill.
While raising two children, Susie was extremely active in their lives and activities while immersing herself into community endeavors and volunteer work. She was proud of the organizations she participated in such as The Junior League of Montclair-Newark (1952-present Sustainer Emeritus); the Humdingers of the Junior League '75-'89; Girl Scout Leader; a docent for The Van Vleck House and Presby Iris Gardens; several committees on the Crane's Mill Residents Association; three terms on the Board of Directors of the CMRA; and the Crane's Mill Chorus. But she was probably most proud of her years spent with the Garden Club of Montclair where she won numerous awards in floral design and horticulture including The Kay Moelane Van Deusen Rose Award, The Presidential Award for Horticulture, The Bauer Horticulture Award and the Louise Mann Award.
Susie had a huge enthusiasm for life that included but was not limited to her family, music, gardening, and traveling. She had a beautiful voice, was an accomplished tennis player, and knew every botanical name when asked. Her bags were always packed by the front door, ready for the next adventure. She was determined to keep herself healthy in body and spirit and lived with so much optimism that it was contagious. Generous, patient, loving, and giving were just some of the qualities that friends and family benefited from. But her family was her greatest joy and pride. Her life was truly well-lived and our lives have been made richer by her presence.
Suzanne was predeceased by her husband Douglas Fleet Price (2009), a daughter-in-law Karyn Price, and a brother Harry B. Scott (Beatrice). She is survived by a daughter, Lyn Price Buck (Frank); a son, Scott Price; three grandchildren, Georgie Buck Penny (Forest), Amanda Price, and Ryan Price; two great grandchildren, Colton and Baylyn Penny; and six nephews, David, James, Thomas, Kevin, Robert, and Christopher with their spouses.
A memorial service will be held in Hinman Hall of Crane's Mill 459 Passaic Ave. West Caldwell, NJ on Monday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon there. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org, or the Garden Club of Montclair at www.gardenclubofmontclair.com/donate.