MANN, Susan (Corning)
Passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on April 26, 2024.
Born in Stamford, CT on July 25, 1927, Sue was the daughter of Valerie Ebbets and Edward Parsons Corning of Shippan Point. A graduate of the Low-Heywood School and Sweet Briar College, Sue married C. Stuart Whitla (Skip) in 1950 and raised their three children in Syracuse, NY and Wellesley, MA. She married Henry L. Mann in 1985 and lived for many years in Upton and Shrewsbury, MA. She later lived in Walpole and Medfield, MA.
Sue was a lifelong sailor, gardener, award-winning floral designer, tennis and golf player and skier. She was an active member of the Stamford Yacht Club in Stamford, CT; Stage Harbor Yacht Club in Chatham, MA; Wellesley Country Club in Wellesley, MA; the Junior League of Boston; the Altar Guild at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Wellesley, MA; and the garden clubs of the Junior League, Wellesley and Upton. Sue and Henry were parishioners of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Dover, MA.
Sue enjoyed spending summers on the beach in Chatham and later, winters on the golf course in Naples, FL. Nothing brought her more joy, though than spending time with her grandchildren, whether she was teaching them about gardening or the proper golf and tennis swing; marveling at their musical and artistic talents or their athletic prowess; sailing alongside them on Whisper, the Herreshoff 12-1/2 sailboat built by her son, Stuart; or simply engaging them in conversation, always the one to ask the questions, listen carefully to their answers and provide thoughtful counsel. As her family’s North Star,
Sue demonstrated steadfast resilience and faith; elegance without pretension; and always, grace and kindness with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye. Sue was the infinitely proud, actively curious, fully engaged and endlessly devoted matriarch of her eternally grateful family.
Sue was predeceased by her beloved husband Henry; her son, C. Stuart Whitla, Jr.; and her stepson, James Mann. She is survived by her daughter Betsy Graziano and husband, Tom of Norfolk, MA; son, Douglas Whitla and wife, Ann of Medfield, MA; daughterin-law, Karen Aveson and husband, Steven of Bristol, RI; grandchildren, Benjamin Whitla and wife, Tara of Maplewood, NJ, Alison Bourgault and husband, Bryan of Portsmouth, RI, Matthew Graziano and wife, Megan of Gloucester, MA, Andrew Graziano and wife, Anabell of Marietta, GA, Alexander Graziano and wife, Tiffany of Sugar Hill, NH, Stuart Whitla of Charlotte, NC, and Lane Whitla of Medfield, MA; and ten greatgrandchildren. Sue is also survived by her stepchildren, Seth Mann of Newfane, VT, Peter Mann and wife, Barbara of Pomfret, CT, Patty Fishback and husband, John of New Smyrna, FL, Debbie Coreil of Lake Mary, FL, Wendy Gibbons and husband, Tim of Powell, OH; ten step-grandchildren; and nine step-great-grandchildren.
A private Burial will be followed by a Service of remembrance and celebration at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 18 Springdale Ave., Dover, MA on Saturday, June 8, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Sue be made to The Thomas Upham House Activities Fund, 519 Main St., Medfield, MA 02052.