Sue Wilson

Rye – Sue Wilson, 52, of Rye, passed peacefully, surrounded by her family’s love, on January 3 after a long, hard-fought illness. Sue Wilson carried a slip of paper with the definition of “fortitude,” in all capital letters, tucked in her flamingo print wallet. Throughout her 52 years, she embodied the essence of that three-syllable word for bravery, resilience, mental strength, spirit, nerve and guts. That was her “yang.” Her “yin” was her ever-expansive heart that had a magical way of making people feel welcome and at ease in her midst. She is survived by her loving husband of 23 years, Joseph (Joe) Wilson and sons, Owen and Tyler, both seniors at Portsmouth High School; three sisters, Maryellen Driscoll of Palatine Bridge, NY, Jennifer Driscoll of Newton, MA, and LeeAnne Lake of Vero Beach, FL; her lifelong friends–cousin Karen LeSaffre of Somerville, MA and niece Katy McCabe of Ipswich, MA; and many nephews and nieces who adored her lion heart and vitality. She is the daughter of the late John S. and Dolores A. Driscoll. Sue spent summers in Rye, NH and ultimately made her full-time home there in 2012, just blocks from the ocean, after living in Hanson, MA. She grew up in Topsfield, MA and attended Masconomet Regional High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. Sue thrived as an executive assistant and project coordinator for 25 years at MilliporeSigma in Burlington, MA, and at EMD Serono, Rockland, MA. Throughout her career, she consistently went above and beyond, stepping outside her responsibilities to willingly take on challenges - big or small - to support and serve others. She was well-respected by everyone, from her peers to the highest level of executives. Sue loved listening and dancing to music. Sue and Joe met at a music venue in Boston. She made friends and won over people’s hearts everywhere she went – always putting the focus on others before herself, always making life so much fun. She had a quick wit and kept everyone in stitches with her humor. A true Leo, she was fiercely loyal to those she loved. Sunday afternoons were always cherished family time – dedicated to cooking and watching sports with her family and devoted dogs, Sky and Eko. She touched many lives, and the profound impact she had on her sons, husband, family, many friends and colleagues will live on. While she will be dearly missed, anyone who knew Sue knows she would insist that they live life to its fullest, boldly and without pause – just as Sue did. A celebration of her life will be held Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. at Waterfront at the Elks, 500 Jones Ave, Portsmouth, NH. Her family asks that she be honored by donating to the following charities: Caring for a Cure (Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center) by clicking here and The Beyond the Rainbow Fund (Exeter Hospital) by clicking here. In honor of her memory, the family also encourages anyone able to donate their blood or platelets to the Red Cross to please do so and as often as possible, for the sake of others in need.

Sue Wilson

August 18, 1970 - January 3, 2023