Susan Furlong

Vernon — Susan Ellen Furlong, age 60, of Vernon, died with her family at her side after a short illness.

Susan, with a constant quest for learning, earned more degrees than most. She graduated from the Hartford College of Women, earned a baccalaureate in business and finance from Northeastern University, a diploma in nursing from St. Francis Hospital where she was president of her class, a M.A. in liberal arts from Wesleyan, a M.S. from UConn with a specialty in nursing administration, and a Juris Doctorate from Western New England College.

Susan enjoyed her work as a nurse with pediatric patients and their families at both UConn Health Center and CCMC. She loved the days spent with UConn nursing students as they perfected their art and science. She relished starting the UConn CEIN program at both the Stamford and Avery Point campuses. Once an attorney, Susan enjoyed her work with the Chief State’s Attorney’s office as a traffic and misdemeanor lawyer. Some of her dearest friends worked with her in the court.

As much as she found joy in her work, the greatest fulfillment was with her family and close friends. Susan cherished her parents, Margaret and James Furlong, and their time together; she thought of them as her “best friends.” Their trips to Maine, UConn women’s basketball, Scrabble and backgammon games, old movies and the great book discussions sustained her with memories. Her sister, Martha (and her husband Richard Morelli) from Westerly, was a constant source of meaning and happiness for Susan. She helped Susan recover from a stroke two years ago and was always there for Susan whenever the need arose. Jim, John and Bobby, her three brothers from South Glastonbury, were devoted to Susan and spent time with her at football games, in volatile political banter and sarcastically robust laughter. From her four siblings came eight nieces and nephews … Elizabeth Zerio (and her husband Tony) from Holliston, Mass., Jamie Furlong from South Glastonbury, Daniel and John Patrick Morelli (and his wife Raychel) from Westerly, Alley Furlong from Beverly, Mass., and Emma, Conor and Aidan Furlong from South Glastonbury. Aunt Susie simply loved and adored them.

Shady Glen, the Boston Pops, birthday parties, Christmas Eve, and everything in between brought the greatest of happiness to Susie. Jonathon and Emily, her great-nephew and -niece, were the latest family additions and Susan constantly spoke about wanting to know them as she knew her nieces and nephews.

For the past 20 years, Susan lived in Vernon and Groton with her partner, Carol Polifroni. They loved to be by the beach, play with their beloved Brandy, and most recently Chester, enjoy their annual spring break trips to Florida to visit with the Nolan family (Uncle Bill, Patty, Billy and Steve), and expanded Susan’s family to include Carol’s sister, Paula (and her late husband, Dennis Hughes), two nephews, Dennis and Marc, and a niece, Kimberly O’Sullivan from N.J., along with seven great nephews … all who adored Aunt Susie.

Susan is also survived by her Furlong cousins, Michael, Howard, Billy, Tommy, Katie, her Uncle Fred Celantano and cousins, John and Alan. She is predeceased by her parents, her paternal and maternal grandparents and her Aunts Mary Ellen and Ellie.

Friends and family are welcome from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, at Farley Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Naubuc Ave., Glastonbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, in St. Dunstan’s Church, 1345 Manchester Road, Glastonbury, with burial to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts for Susan may be made to Our Companions Animal Rescue, P.O.Box 956, Manchester CT 06045. www.ourcompanions.org.

To extend online condolences, please visit Farleysullivan. com.