CUMBERLAND FORESIDE- Susan Knight Hamill of Cumberland Foreside, Maine passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on July 13, 2022. Susan was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 11, 1956, to William Dette Hamill and Elizabeth Sherwood (Picking) Hamill. Susan was the first born of five children and while in her first year the family moved back to Maine to settle in Falmouth.
Susan attended Waynflete School in Portland, ME; then Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, MA. She received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Simmons University in Boston. Her career began in Washington DC, where she worked for the Republican National Committee and the US Chamber of Commerce until moving back to Maine in 1984 to join her father as the Executive Vice President in the family business. She was active in local and state politics as well as numerous civic organizations including; Yarmouth Historical Society, Spurwink School Foundation, Portland Museum of Art, Maine Arts Commission, Osher Map Library Associates, University of Southern Maine, Maine Policy Center, and Informed Women’s Network. Susan loved being involved, aiding others and ultimately inspiring all those who knew and worked alongside her.
Early childhood years were spent playing in the neighborhood, riding bikes to Town Landing Market, sailing with her uncle, visiting her grandmother “Baba” and horseback riding. Susan developed an appreciation for travel at an early age through foreign exchange programs and an appreciation of the arts ensued. She loved visiting museums around the world, going to the opera and collecting fine art. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, taking walks on the beach, always with her dog by her side. She cherished her time on the ocean, sailing on chartered fishing trips with friends, and especially at her beloved family summer home in Harpswell, ME. Susan loved people and had many dear life-long friends while always making new ones. She cared deeply for her family and was a compassionate caregiver for her parents and elderly family friends. Susan brought honesty, integrity, and character to everything she committed herself to throughout the various aspects of her life.
Susan is predeceased by her father William Dette Hamill and her mother Elizabeth Sherwood Hamill. Survivors are her four siblings: Sherwood Neal Hamill and wife Angela Adams Hamill; Elizabeth Rice Hamill and husband Trevor Barry of Falmouth, ME; Anne Fairfax Hamill and husband Steven Wolff of Salt Lake City, UT; her nephew Finn Wolff and niece Charlotte Wolff; William Dette Hamill III of Park City, UT; her nieces Alanna and Marin Hamill; her stepmother Mary Louise Norton and her cherished dog, Bramble.
A Celebration of Life Gathering is planned for mid-September.
****FOR INFORMATION ON ATTENDING SUSAN'S CELEBRATION OF LIFE GATHERING, PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO:
[email protected]
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers please make donations to: Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, www.arlgp.org