Susan Hill Birge, 86
Susan Hill Birge died February 16, 2026, at her home in Acton. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Walter W. Birge III; her son, Jesse Birge; her nephew Peter Black; and her sister Ellen Senich. She is predeceased by her mother Eleanor Lucas, her father Charles Hill, and her stepfather Walter Lucas.
She was born in Cambridge at Mount Auburn Hospital in 1939. Her childhood was spent living with her maternal grandparents in Belmont. She moved to Woodstock, Connecticut, where she attended Woodstock Academy, winning top academic awards in various subjects. Susan attended Radcliffe College and received her A.B. from Harvard Extension in 1983. While at Radcliffe, she was an active volunteer at Phillips Brooks House in Cambridge, where she met her soon-to-be husband Walter, who asked her to type a paper he had written, as his typing skills were poor. She continued to support the organization throughout her life.
After living in Wilton, Connecticut, Walter and Susan moved to New York City in 1970 when Walter became a headmaster at The Town School. In the 12 years they lived in Manhattan, Susan enjoyed walking around the city, going to Bloomingdale’s, and taking the bus to Lord & Taylor.
Susan moved to Acton when Walter became the headmaster of The Fenn School. While in Acton, Susan volunteered at the Acton Free Public Library, attended Trinity Church, and quilted with Acton Piecemakers Quilt Guild. She was also a skilled needle worker and had chaired a large needlepoint project at Church of the Epiphany while in New York.
One of Susan’s greatest pleasures were her summers on Nantucket, living in a house that she helped design in 1970. She enjoyed working on the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle, was an avid reader, loved football, and never missed an episode of “Jeopardy!”
Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Susan at her funeral service on Saturday, February 28, at 11 a.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street. A reception will follow in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to Phillips Brooks House, 1 Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA 02138, or at pbha.org.
Arrangements are under the care of Acton Funeral Home, A Life Celebration Home, Acton. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit concordfuneral.com.
