Susan “Sue” (Sherwood) Vance, 75, of East Haven, passed away Nov. 13, 2024, at home surrounded by her husband and sons. She was born Feb. 2, 1949, in Meriden to Roland and Clara (Hutchins) Sherwood. Susan is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Robert Vance; and two devoted sons, Robert Vance Jr. of East Haven and Dr. Jeffrey Vance of Shelton, along with three grandchildren she adored, Braden Vance, Tyler Vance, and Nicholas Vance. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Helen Sherwood of Wallingford, and former daughter-in-law, Amber Vance of East Haven. Susan is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Roland Sherwood, and a nephew, Timothy Sherwood.

Susan graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1967. After high school, Sue went to work for Sears and Roebuck, where she was an administrative assistant. While at Sears, Sue met and later married her husband, Robert Vance. Susan went on to work in the retail field until she went to college at age 60 to pursue a career in healthcare and attained a certificate in therapeutic recreation. For many years, she worked at Benchmark Assisted Living, where she coordinated programs for those with various levels of mental decline.

Susan was a devout Catholic and long-time parishioner at Saint Clare’s Church in East Haven; she served on numerous church boards and committees. She then went on to become a Eucharistic minister and offered the host to those at numerous Masses. The Vance family would like to thank the hospice care providers for the abundant amount of care and support during the past few months.

Family received friends on Nov. 16 in the Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home (Clancy Funeral Home), 43 Kirkham Avenue, East Haven. Her funeral procession left Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home for a Mass of Christian burial at St. Pio Pietrelcina Parish at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 80 Taylor Avenue, East Haven. Her burial took place on Nov. 20 at All Saints Cemetery, 700 Middletown Avenue, North Haven.