Mrs. Susan J. MacWilliams

Ms. Susan J. MacWilliams, 74, of Gilbertville, MA, passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2021. Born in Pittsfield, MA, on April 21, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Willard and Gladys Brundage MacWilliams. Growing up in Lanesboro Susan was a longtime communicant of St. Luke's Episcopal Church where she was a member of the choir. She attended Lanesboro Elementary School where she was the only student ever to skip a grade. She graduated from Mt. Greylock Regional High School where she was in the chorus, yearbook committee, student council, and queen's court of her senior prom. She was a talented vocalist, photographer, artist, and even did some modeling. Susan worked as a waitress at the West View Snack Bar and the Howard Johnson's owned by her uncles Ernest and Frank Brundage in Williamstown. She studied at Berkshire Community College, then earned a BA in Communication at Worcester State College. Susan was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Oxford Mass for 20 years. Her English gardens provided beautiful altar flowers. Her church family was central to her life and faith in God and belief in the power of prayer sustained her. Sue was an avid reader and an amazing cook. Long chats with her on the phone were filled with love and laughter. Her sense of humor was infectious. She loved music and would eagerly dance to 70s or Bruno Mars. Her knowledge of flora and geology was shared on nature hikes. Susan cheered for her grandkids at soccer and softball games. She loved her furry grandchildren and spoiled them with presents. She never went anywhere without her camera. Her photos were works of art often gifted to loved ones. Of all things Susan loved being a mom, Gram, aunt, sister and friend. Susan is survived by brother David and wife Deborah MacWilliams, brother Scott and wife Leanne Curran MacWilliams, sister Margaret MacWilliams and husband Jeffrey Bell, brother-in-law Billy Mars, her son Deven Ewing and wife Patricia Groberio Ewing, daughter Rebecca and husband Kirk Smith, son Stephen Goranson, former spouse and good friend Paul Goranson, five grandchildren, many cherished nieces and nephews, 3 granddogs and 7 grandcats who will miss her dearly. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters Katherine MacWilliams and Kristy Mars. Funeral Notice: A funeral service for Ms. Susan J. MacWilliams will be held on Saturday September 25, 11 a.m. at St Luke's Church (the Village Church), South Main St., Lanesboro, Massachusetts. Burial of her ashes will follow at the Riverside Cemetery in Lanesboro. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, Massachusetts in care of the Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home, 220 East St, Pittsfield MA 01201, in her memory. Donations CANNOT be made online, but may be made through the Dwyer-Wellington Funeral Home.

Mrs. Susan J. MacWilliams

April 21, 1947 - August 12, 2021