Sue was a caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She passed away Sunday, August 25th, 2024 in Philadelphia, PA.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Elsie and Edwin Moen, and her sister, Nancy Loewe (Pierre).  She is survived by her children, Michelle Perry, Hilary Doyle (Dan), Pep Perry (Aubrey), and her grandchildren, Chloe, Sam and Aiden.

Sue was born in 1941 in Barrett, Minnesota.  She grew up on a small dairy farm in a very tightknit community.  Edwin left this world way too early, but Sue held on to the dear memories of her childhood adventures with him on the farm.  Elsie taught Sue how to bake desserts that many of us would enjoy for decades to come.  After graduating Elbow Lake High School, she attended Gustavus Adolphus College where she studied French and History. As a Fulbright Scholar, she studied at The University of Strasbourg in France and then attended Stanford University where she continued her studies in French.

The Lutheran Church and her unwavering faith were central to her life.  She taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir for years.  She taught us through quiet example to walk humbly and do justice; the power of friendship and kindness; to honor God by caring for the least; and to lift our eyes to the hills.

Her career began in Berkeley, California where she began work as an editor. In 1978, the family spent the year in Ife, Nigeria where she taught English. Sue was lucky to join Maryknoll and Orbis Books where she worked from 1982 through 2012 when she retired. As a senior editor at Orbis, she worked on many projects that were close to her heart (theology, ethics, environmental studies, spirituality). Her many authors and colleagues became lifelong friends. Her work focused on projects from Asia, Africa, women, and minorities, and reflected her deep commitment to amplifying "voices from the margins." Post "retirement" she was often caught with a manuscript in hand - her commitment continued long after she could no longer work full time.

After retirement, Sue took on her favorite role as grandmother to Chloe, Sam and Aiden. She spent every possible moment with her grandchildren as the favorite babysitter. In addition to assembling complex Lego sets, and attending doll weddings, she loved to read to her grandchildren and was always working on a knitting project.

Many of her hobbies involved helping others. She volunteered at a local food bank, helped with the children's choir at St. Peter's, and volunteered at the Barnes Foundation. Towards the end of her life, she worked with The Mindset organization which helps women with goal setting and skill development to work towards self-sufficiency.

Friendships were such an important part of her life. Margaret, Nancy, Joyce and so many others celebrated good times and supported her through tough times. Sue attended her 60-year high school reunion and was thrilled to reconnect with many childhood friends.

Sue swam almost every morning and surprised everyone by swimming 70 laps on her 70th birthday.  We are not sure how she managed that, but her granddaughter Aiden is carrying on the swimming tradition. Sue was an adventurous traveler, joining family and friends when and where she could. Among her favorite destinations was Melbourne, Australia to see Aiden, Pep and Aubrey. She continued her adventuring well into her 70s.

We are forever grateful for having an amazing mother, grandmother, friend and such an incredible role model to follow. There are so many lessons and traditions that we will do our best to carry forward.

A funeral service is scheduled for 11am on September 21, 2024 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity on her behalf. Organizations that she regularly supported were: The International Rescue Committee , Philabundance , and The Red Cross .

Funeral arrangements entrusted to The Oliver H. Bair Co.  (610) 449-8585