Suzanne, Suzie, Sue B, Momma B, Queen Bee...she answered lovingly and unfailingly to all these names, but she was born Grace Suzanne Crancer on February 17, 1943 in St. Louis, Missouri, the youngest of five children. "Your mother has more grace wearing a potato sack than most women have all dolled up in an evening gown" Dad used to say. She was the embodiment of grace, but that didn't stop her from dropping her given first name. She graduated from Principia Highschool in '60 as Grace, but when she graduated from Wellesley College in '64, she was Suzanne Crancer Byron.

 

Sue met Alex in Cambridge. She was an editor for the Teamsters Union and was under direct order from Jimmy Hoffa to interview Alex. Mom would tell us "I knew from the moment I met him, I was going to marry this man". She was a sharply dressed, pirate-eyed beauty, he was a dashing Marine who swept her off her feet. "Saved me from a life of mere luxury" Mom used to say with her wide, infectious smile. They couldn't wait to get married, so they didn't and eloped.

 

"I couldn't not live on the ocean, not since the first time I saw it", Mom used to say. So Sue and Alex moved to Marion where they raised four children and remained happily married for 52 years.

 

Sue and Alex owned and operated Byron's Landing, a waterfront landmark in Buzzards Bay. Sue was a born leader who earned the respect and love of her staff and customers alike. In the off-seasons, she volunteered her skills for political and humanitarian causes, saved historical buildings, fundraised for veterans and managed town parties.

 

Sue was humble. "A true class act", Dad would say because of the way she made people feel. She was a legendary beauty, a bonafide genius and a uniquely gifted writer, but she refused to flaunt her many extraordinary talents. She preferred to quietly use them in service to others.

 

Queen Bee was always in charge, at the restaurant, at home, and in everything she involved herself. She understood service and what it means to be of service. She loved to advocate for people, animals and causes and would donate long hours to anyone in need.

 

A voracious reader and a lifelong student, Sue was an expert in antiques and New Bedford whaling history. An eternal optimist, Sue was fun and wickedly funny and always curious. "Only boring people get bored" she used to say.

 

Sue was a profoundly kind and loving mother. She believed in romance and added magic to everything she touched. She was love personified. She knew what was important and in what order. She taught us to think for ourselves and to reach for seemingly impossible solutions to unasked questions. 

 

Sue died as she lived, in charge, with a song in her heart. An indomitable spirit to the end, surrounded by family who adored her, hoping that everyone was happy and safe, gunning for Alex, the love of her life, waiting for her on the other side. Sue and Alex got married. "Best decision ever" us kids like to say these days.

 

Sue died unexpectedly at St. Luke's Hospital on December 13, 2022. She was 79.

 

Sue is preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Lester Crancer, her husband Alexander Byron and daughter Florence Marie Byron, her brothers Lester Jr. and David Crancer and his wife Rosie, her sister Mary Horton and her niece Faith Horton.

 

Sue is survived by her children James Allen, Suzanne Elizabeth and Christopher Charles Byron, her granddaughter Anthea Tripanier and her husband David, her great grandchildren, Delilah, David, and Artemis Tripanier, her brother Robert Crancer and his wife Barbara Hoffa, her nephews Michael, David Jr., Jeffrey and Joe Crancer and David Horton, and her nieces Holly and Barbara Jo Crancer.

 

A private service was held on August 27 in Marion. Anyone interested in attending please email suziebyron@yahoo.com