Susan Patricia Kennedy Astone, 68, of Nashua, wife of Joseph John Astone, passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston after a lifetime battle with cancer. As a child, Susan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma. She miraculously survived but was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in November 2013 and a glioblastoma in August 2024. Despite all her health issues, she remained a pillar of light, happiness, support, and love to everyone in her life.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 7, 1956, she was the daughter of the late Maurice and Elaine (Woods) Kennedy of Harwich, MA. Susan grew up in Dedham, MA and was a graduate of Dedham High School Class of 1974. She furthered her education at Framingham State College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1978 and her Master’s degree in Education from Notre Dame College in 1989. Susan also graduated from Plymouth State College, where she received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in 2005.
Susan was passionate about education and reading. She began her career as a Teacher in the Foxborough (MA) Public School System from September 1978 to June 1981; then as a Teacher and Reading Specialist with the Bedford (NH) Public Schools for 22 years from August 1981 to June 2004. Susan continued as an Assistant Principal and Special Education Coordinator with the Hollis (NH) Public Schools from June 2004 to June 2007. Susan then continued to work for the Burlington (MA) Public Schools as a Principal from July 2007 to June 2013 and District RtI Administrator from July 2013 through June 2021.
A resident of Nashua since 1981, Susan was a communicant of St. John Neumann’s Church in Merrimack and a former communicant and Eucharistic Minister at St. Christopher’s Church in Nashua. She loved music and sang with both the Manchester and Nashua Choral Groups. She also enjoyed playing the piano, skiing, sailing, gardening, drinking tea, watching General Hospital, and reading to her grandson. Susan and her family loved traveling to Hawaii and spending time at her “happy place” at Red River Beach in South Harwich, MA.
Members of her family include her husband Joe, whom she married on July 19, 1981 and shared over 43 years together; her three children, the late Joseph Kennedy Astone, Kristina Patrice Astone, Melissa Nicole (Astone) Munro and her husband Patrick and son, Travis Munro. In addition to Susan’s parents and son, she was predeceased by her brother, David Kennedy.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Wednesday, November 20th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. John Neumann Church, 708 Milford Road, Route 101-A, Merrimack, NH, Thursday, November 21st at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Edgewood Cemetery in Nashua. Friends are invited to attend this celebration of Susan’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and Joseph Kennedy Astone Fund, c/o Metabolic Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, 330 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115 ATTN: Dr. Harvey Levy. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com
