WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Susan Barron passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 20. Born to Ruth Meyer Werner of Nebraska and Ernest Werner of New Hampshire in Nov. 1944 in Silver Spring, Md., Susan and her late brother Charles lived with their parents in Maryland, Florida and Ecuador, where her father worked for the FAA and she developed a love for languages and travel.
A graduate of Palmetto High in Miami, she attended the University of Florida, where she earned a B.S. in journalism, was a varsity cheerleader, and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. After graduation, she moved to New York City and became a purser for Pan American Airways (1967-1986), allowing her to fly the world and have many adventures. Susan married Berkeley Bennett in 1977. They lived in Washington, D.C., until relocating to New Haven, Vt. They lived on a hobby farm with sheep, chickens, geese, cows, dogs and cats. Susan loved animals and always had them as part of her household.
Widowed in 2003, she married Brooks Barron (deceased Nov. 2020) in 2005. They lived in Rochester, Vt. for several years before moving to White River Junction. Susan loved travel, skiing, exercise classes, cooking, baking and decorating. She gave back to the community and was involved in philanthropic work, including the preservation of historic Vermont buildings, serving as chair of the Board for the Vermont Folklife Center and the Board of the American Cancer Society, New England Division. Susan was a Vermont delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2000 and was outgoing, witty, friendly and caring to friends, family and strangers alike.
Susan is survived by her sister-in-law, Connie Hawkins of Atherton, Calif.; nephew Colin Hawkins (wife Maureen, children Nolan, Laney and Laurel) of Hilton Head Island, S.C.; and nephew Cory Hawkins (wife Jamey, children GraceAnn and Madelyn) of Menlo Park, Calif.
Donations in Susan’s name can be made to the Preservation Trust of Vermont ptvermont.org/about/give. A celebration of her life is planned for early next summer.◊