Susan Dinnigan Kerr
 
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt
 
    Susan Dinnigan Kerr, 63, of Pelham, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 18th with her devoted husband by her side. She was the beloved wife of Russell E. Kerr who survives her and with whom she celebrated their 42nd wedding anniversary on March 2nd of this year.
    Born in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late Walter C. and the late Patricia (LaCourse) Dinnigan, she attended Chelmsford schools and was a graduate of Chelmsford High School with the Class of 1976. A natural nurturer, Susan then fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse by graduating nursing school in 1978, and remained an LPN for over 20 years, many of them spent as a pediatric nurse at Greater Lowell Pediatrics, a job she loved and thrived in.
    Susan met her soul mate Russell when they both attended high school together. A true example of high school sweethearts. Russ is known to have said at the moment he first laid eyes on Susan in the back seat of a powder blue VW Bug as it drove past him, “I’m going to marry that girl.”  They started dating just a few days later and have been by each others sides ever since.
    Susan loved to cook. She was always making big batches of chili, or spaghetti (her sauce is legendary) to bring to family parties or feed the neighborhood. She loved music and loved to sing along to her favorite songs – especially around a campfire at her most favorite place on earth, the beach. She was an expert cribbage player, taking after her father, and would also give you a run for your money in a poker match or game of 45’s. She loved nature: to garden and bird watch. Most of all she loved spending time laughing and loving with her family and friends.
    Perhaps what Susan would describe as her greatest achievement in this life is her role as a mother and grandmother (“Mimi”). She loved being a mom, and was a wonderful mother to her 5 children and grandmother to her 3, soon to be 4 grandkids. She made every holiday, birthday, and even the in between days, so special, and created traditions that will be passed down for generations. She was also a mother figure to anyone who needed it. Known affectionately as Auntie Sue-Sue to her many nephews, nieces, and children of family friends, she loved each child in her life as fiercely as her own.
    In addition to her husband, Susan is survived by her five children and their families: her eldest Justin Kerr and his wife Cory Towne-Kerr and their sons Oliver and Lucas of North Hampton, NH; her second son Ian Kerr and his wife Holly and their soon to be born son Noah of Sarasota, FL; her eldest daughter Sarah Channon and her husband Mark and their son Jack of Verwood , United Kingdom; her second daughter Kelsey Kerr and her partner Dave Ford of Pelham, NH and her youngest daughter Alice Kerr of Pelham, NH; two sisters Leah Gaffney and her husband Richard of North Chelmsford, MA and Lauren Mills and her husband Todd of Westford, MA; a brother Brian Charles Dinnigan of North Chelmsford, MA; and several nieces and nephews.
    She was also sister and best friend of the late Karen Goodwin.
    Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Graveside Service on Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Gibson Cemetery in Pelham at 1 o’clock. A Celebration of Life for Susan will take place on Saturday afternoon, July 31st at the American Legion Post 100 in Pelham at 2 o’clock. E-condolences at www.pelhamfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Community Hospice House at www.hhhc.org. Arrangements by the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME, Pelham, NH (603) 635-3333.
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