Susan Elizabeth Graham DeCoster, M.Div., 70, of Waldoboro, died Feb. 23 at Eastern Maine Medical Center, surrounded by loving family and friends.
She was born on Sept. 22, 1947 to John Wilbur Graham and Elizabeth Dean Graham in Hartford, Conn. She spent her childhood years in Kensington, Conn. and Weybridge, Vt.
Susan graduated from Bangor Theological Seminary in 1993. For 15 years, she served as a pastor within New England United Methodist Churches. She worked in development for the Maine ACLU in Portland. From 2008 to 2012 she served as the chair of the Commission on Community Life for the Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ. In her retirement she enjoyed substitute teaching at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.
A poet, an artist, and an advocate, she shared her talents and good humor generously. She found great joy, peace and friendship at the Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm in Unity. She particularly loved spending time with her daughter and her three grandsons.
Susan is preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Dean Graham.
She is survived by daughter, Jennifer Young (George); grandchildren, Jacob and Brandon Bonney, and Gregory Anderson; sisters, Sarah Petto (Andrew), Sharon Graham, and Sandra Graham (Patricia); sister-in-law, Martha Graham; a niece; three nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate Susan’s life will take place at 10 a.m., Fri., March 2 at the Broad Bay United Church of Christ, Waldoboro with Rev. Nancy Duncan officiating. Please join in the celebration.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Susan’s memory to Lincoln Academy, 81 Academy Hill Rd., Newcastle, ME 04553; the United Methodist Economic Ministry, 1458 Salem Rd., Salem, ME 04983; the Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm, 141 Crosby Brook Rd., Unity, ME 04988; or a food pantry of your choice.