Susan L. Adamson

Born in Hartford, CT on October 5, 1928, Susan (Goodwin) Little Adamson was the last of the line of several distinguished families in the history of New England and the founding of the United States. The only child of Edward Little and Margaret Williams, she became the family historian and collector of all historical documents and artifacts. She graduated from Connecticut College with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Sue returned to Hartford to teach and a few years later she set out on a cross country journey with her friend Gabrielle. Arriving in San Francisco they quickly met two roomates whom they would marry shortly thereafter, in 1955.

After getting her teaching credential at UC Berkeley, Sue taught in the public schools in San Francisco until she and her husband Frank

Adamson moved to the country (Greenbrae) in 1957. She took a break from teaching to raise her three children and to volunteer at Greenbrae School teaching Art Appreciation, participate in PTA and lead the local Girl Scout troop. In the early 70’s she got another degree from Dominican College in Special Education with a focus on reading disabilities. She worked for the Kentfield school district for a number of years teaching reading to children who had challenges as well as to ESL students. A life-long, voracious reader, she was passionate about helping children learn and love to read.

As a devout Episcopalian, Sue was a dedicated parishioner at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in San Rafael for over 64 years. She spent thousands of hours teaching Sunday School, organizing parish fundraisers like the annual

Book Sale, the Holiday Gift and Rummage sale and steering the St. Anne’s Guild. She was noted for her prolific pie baking at these sales, baking as many as 50 pies in the day with a varying crew of helpers. She regularly supported many of the local Episcopal Charities, Ritter Center and Prison Ministries. She generously made financial contributions to over 100 charities across the country on an annual basis.

Sue loved to travel and was fortunate to see much of the world with her husband Frank before his death in 1997. She was a great supporter of the arts with season tickets to a wide variety of companies including ACT, Marin Symphony and Ross Players to name a few; attending performances regularly until Covid. Attending art exhibits and museum memberships rounded out her support and enjoyment of the arts.

In 2005, she married George Westfall, a dear friend of nearly 50 years whose wife had passed several years prior. Blending families with strong ties to each other was a joyful day and created a seamless transition from close friendship to family. Together, Sue and George maintained full and active lives in the church, and volunteered as Sunday Worship Leaders in rotation at the San Rafael Healthcare Center. They enjoyed sharing their love of the arts in their community and continued an impressive social calendar with friends and family until Covid. As they could only have dreamed of, Sue and George passed suddenly within hours of each other, which was a blessing that neither had to go on alone again.

Sue is survived by her three children; Margaret (Bruce) Qualls, Ned (Rose ) Adamson, Betsy (John) Adamson, two step sons Stephen (Daisy) Westfall and Donald (Kathy) Westfall; daughter in law Janet Jacobson; and 7 grandchildren: Patrick, Ryan and Sean

Qualls, Michael, Phillip and Stuart Adamson, Ben Westfall.

Sue will be remembered as a selfless, generous woman, always putting others needs ahead of hers. She was passionate about helping those less fortunate than herself, committed to maintaining lifelong friendships and family connections through regular dinner parties and the 50+ postcards and letters she mailed weekly up to her final days. Many of these recipients have commented on how much pleasure they received from them and referred to her as the last great correspondent.

Due to Covid, a private service for family will be held in January. A larger Celebration of Life may be scheduled later in the Spring. Donations can be made to: Ritter Center in San Rafael, (https:// rittercenter.org/)