Susan Spaulding Warner Abbott died peacefully in her home in Needham, MA on July 2, 2026, at age 84. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2016, she remained curious, kind, and playful to the end.
Susan is survived by her three daughters, Diane Warner Abbott, Emily Hart Abbott, and Amanda Warren Abbott; son-in-law Jonathan Betsch; and three grandchildren, Lila Grace Abbott Betsch, Freya Luz Gallego Abbott, and Nils Antonio Gallego Abbott. Her husband, Paul Nilsson Abbott, died in 2007.
Born July 29, 1941 in New Britain, CT, Susan graduated from New Britain High and later Bucknell University in 1963, where she met Paul. They married in 1964 and eventually settled in Needham, where they raised their family and built lasting friendships. Susan went on to earn her Master's degree at Middlebury's Bread Loaf School of English, often bringing her daughters along on summer coursework, including solo trips for coursework in Oxford and Santa Fe.
A committed feminist, activist, and environmentalist, Susan spent decades fighting for clean water and against pesticide use, earning a Citizen Activist Award from the Charles River Watershed Association in 2006. She served as a Needham town meeting member for 44 years, was a longtime League of Women Voters member, and helped found the Needham Babysitting and Food Co-ops.
As a mother and grandmother, Susan was endlessly playful and devoted — leaving notes for her family, baking at midnight, and embracing games, dress-up, and adventures with her grandchildren.
Susan will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, September 26th, in the Parish Hall at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Needham, MA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Charles River Watershed Association, Reproductive Equity Now, or the League of Women Voters of Needham.
Written by Adam Witham
