Susanne Osullivan Stearns ’83

Our class is saddened by the Aug. 4, 1996, death of Susanne O'Sullivan Stearns in Boston of complications from a bone marrow transplant. She had struggled with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma for over two years, but had maintained a positive outlook and was a steadfast support for her family and friends.

Susanne came to Princeton from ConcordCarlisle H.S. in Massachusetts where she excelled academically and served as president of the Natl. Honor Society and class secretary. At Princeton, Susanne participated in gymnastics and served as a class representative. She was a resident adviser her senior year and she also was the founder of POWER, Princeton's first support group for women with eating disorders.

Upon graduation Susanne worked for Procter & Gamble and the following spring married Steve Stearns '84. They lived in Karlsruhe, Germany, for four years where she earned a master's in education from Boston U.'s satellite at the U. of Heidelberg. Susanne worked as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor in Karlsruhe and at Mount Auburn Hospital upon her return to the States. She and Steve's home was in Fairfield, Conn.

Susanne was an active, vibrant, and deeply spiritual person. She had a natural ability to encourage people to see the humorous side of life and to inspire them to become their best.

She is survived by her husband, Steve, her children, Benjamin and Madeleine, her mother, Mary Jane O'Sullivan, her brothers, Stephen and William, and her sister, Mary Jane St. Jean.

The Class of 1983