Susan A Katchpole

Susan A. Katchpole, of Braintree, formerly of Norwood, passed away on February 27th after a valiant battle with cancer.  Dedicated daughter of the late Francis A. and Susan V. (Maguire) Katchpole; devoted sister to David F. Katchpole and his wife Anne M. Levonen from Hoboken NJ and Fernandina Beach Florida; and beloved life partner of Carol Mather of Braintree.  Susan also leaves behind many cherished cousins, friends, colleagues and her beloved cat, Sadie.  

After graduating high school from Ursuline Academy, she attended Bridgewater State College, majoring in Education, where she was an accomplished athlete particularly in softball. Upon graduating, she immediately played semi-professional softball with the Drifters traveling around the country for many summers. She worked various jobs while playing softball but realized teaching and coaching was her real love.  She coached and taught Physical Education at Ursuline for two years and then became an integral part of Fontbonne Academy for 38 years where she initially coached several sports, taught Health and Physical Education.  During her years at Fontbonne, she later went to nursing school at night to get her Nursing Degree and left Fontbonne to pursue a nursing career.  She soon realized that teaching was her true passion and returned to Fontbonne as the School Nurse while continuing to teach. She proudly became a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN) after studying diligently after school hours to receive this prestigious certification. 

Her students were her passion where she inspired young women to become leaders and to instill the values of integrity, courage, and the importance of creating solid relationships. With a unique combination of strength, humor and compassion she dedicated her life to supporting hundreds of young women and was instrumental in helping to improve and develop the Fontbonne Health curriculum. During summers, she worked at Presidents Golf Shop in Quincy and was the Camp Nurse at Thayer Academy in Braintree, where she thoroughly enjoyed working with younger children.  

Her outside interests included golfing, fishing and saving wild animals whenever she had the opportunity!  She will be greatly missed by her students, colleagues, friends and family.  Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the memorial mass on Monday, March 4 at 1:00 pm at Fontbonne Academy, 930 Brook Rd., Milton, MA.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fontbonne Academy Athletics. 

Arrangements under the care and direction of Hamel-Lydon Chapel and Cremation Service of MA, 650 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02170.