Susan M. “Sue” Riley passed away on Thursday, September 13, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, MA. She was surrounded by family as she moved peacefully onward. A devoted Catholic, Sue was assured in God’s love and looked forward to rejoining her beloved mother and father in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Sue was born in New Bedford on October 8, 1945, one month after the end of World War II, to Dr. Frederic and Mrs. Mary (Norton) Riley. A playful child, she attended Holy Family Grammar and High School, graduating in 1963. She then enrolled in and graduated from Framingham State College with a bachelor’s degree. Sue became an elementary school teacher, a profession that suited her love for children and her interests in introducing knowledge.
She soon fell in love with and married Martin Andersen, a young Vietnam veteran from Fairhaven, MA. They married on February 13, 1971, and a few short years later, welcomed two sons. Her focus and devotion were to the upbringing of her boys, and she worked tirelessly to raise them well. Sue lived for many years in Sandwich, MA, on Cape Cod. It was in Sandwich with her magnetic personality and big smile where Sue gathered and fostered a large network of friends. Sharp-witted and delightfully jovial, Sue enjoyed laughing and joking with her dear friends and family. Never the quiet one, Sue spread smiles wherever she found herself.
In retirement, Sue returned to education, serving as a volunteer Teacher’s Assistant and foster grandmother at a local grammar school in New Bedford. In May of 2009, Sue was buoyed by the arrival of the apple of her eye, her grandson Liam. For the past fourteen years, she carried a loving passion for the well-being of Liam, and they had meaningful relationship. She was his beloved Nana.
Sue is survived by her best friend and sister, Ms. Kathleen Riley of Mashpee, MA; two sons, Eric Andersen, of Cambridge, MA, and Michael Andersen, of Sunnyvale, CA; her devoted daughter-in-law Carey Capone Andersen; grandson Liam Lincoln Andersen both from Cambridge; and nephews Gary Sherman of Sandwich, MA, and Christopher Sherman, of Arlington, MA.
At her request there will not be a public wake. The family intends to hold a celebration of life soon. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.