Susan Bourget

Susan was born to Jack and Elaine Seltzer of Brookline on June 1st 1950, graduated from Brookline High School in 1967 with honors and later studied at Smith College in Northampton.

Sue’s professional career began in the 70’s designing and creating custom clothing at The Workshop in Duxbury, later moving to Plympton. As her reputation and success grew she became the head designer for the Susan Bristol Company in Boston, while commuting to Hong Kong to oversee the production. During this tenure she was awarded the contract to design the U.S. Women’s Olympic Team uniform for the 1988 opening ceremony of the summer games in Seoul, South Korea.

Eventually Sue opened Sage Design in Kingston, MA as the primary designer of novelty sweaters and knit wear for companies such as Talbots and J. Jill.

Susan is survived by the love of her life of 24 years, Craig Nealley, brother David and his wife Ann of Davis, CA, her sister Edith Geoffrion and her husband Ray, nephew David and niece Robin of Brewster, Craig’s mother Rita and brother Jack of Upton, MA. She was predeceased by her sister Deborah Seltzer of Pittsburgh, PA.

Susan’s hobbies and passions were as varied as her love of colors, tastes and textures. After her daily five mile walk on the beach she spent her days in the Duxbury studio working on her many projects including soft art clothing, original tile mosaics, handmade dolls, cards, drawing and writing.

Her love of the ocean began as a young child on the flats at the beach in Brewster. Fishing for tuna, swordfish, bluefish and stripers as well as clamming at Brown’s Bank were her favorites. She was the “Quahog Queen” digging clams by the bushel and then producing delicious clam chowder by the gallon and ‘stuffies’ by the dozens. Salty Susie’s Smoky Blue Pate’ was made using her secret brining and smoking recipe and was a gourmet treat (and realistically the only good recipe for Bluefish).

Her gardens and gardening were another love; especially her herbs which she used in her cooking, herb butters and her famous Lemon Verbena ice cream.

Susan loved being in her self-designed three story studio by the sea, either working alone or with her bevy of bodacious babes. Sue’s creativity flourished in the studio as she taught herself new art forms and refined existing techniques while teaching others her crafts. As much as she loved ‘studio time’ she couldn’t get enough ‘boat time’ with Craig, either fishing or simply cruising while working on her tan.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 17th at 11 a.m. at Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Rt. 134, South Dennis. Susan will be laid to rest beside her parents directly following the service in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Rt. 134, South Dennis. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.doanebealamesdennis.com