Susan Clary Delahunt

Susan Clary Delahunt of Harwich, age 81,  passed away on May 4th in the presence of family, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

A resident of Harwich MA since 1994, Susan was born in White Plains, NY in 1938, just minutes before her identical twin sister and lifelong best friend, Cynthia. Throughout their lives, the two of them shared hairstyles, colleges and identical beauty that never failed to confuse childhood friends.

As a Lasell College student, she wrote a letter to a lonely Marine in Hawaii that quickly evolved into a love story spanning the next fifty-nine years.

Susan and her husband Jack raised six children in Norwell, Massachusetts, creating a home that was chaotic, yet always filled with love. According to her children, “Dad may have led the show, but Mom ran it.” Susan managed to choreograph this chaos while purposefully staying out of the limelight and helping others to shine. Her endless, unequivocal love was passed down to her children, who never fail to stand together when times are tough.

Later in life, Susan relished being a grandmother. Nothing gave her greater joy than spending her days on the floor playing with her grandchildren. She did whatever it took to put a smile on her grandchildren’s faces, turning simple moments into some of their most cherished memories.

A devoted Catholic, her boundless compassion for others extended well beyond her family. She was a notorious overstuffer when bagging meals at the local food pantry, and made it a point to be a compassionate friend to those who were lonely or in need.

We will miss her gentle smile, ever-present lipstick, and willingness to indulge in a brownie sundae, at any time, day or night.

Susan is predeceased by her loving husband, Jack Delahunt. She leaves behind her son Jeff Delahunt and his wife Victoria of Dayton, OH; daughter Nancy Delahunt of Quincy; son Peter Delahunt and his wife Theresa of Scituate; son Steven Delahunt and his wife Kerry of Hanover; son John Delahunt and his wife Debra of Old Bridge, NJ; and son Paul Delahunt and his wife Lee Ann of Knoxville, TN. She is the beloved sister of Robert Clary, Cynthia Hoyt, Jane Cochrane, and the late Richard Clary. Also lovingly survived by 12 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.  Daughter of the late Robert and Vera Clary.

Susan’s family will be having a private viewing and service. A Catholic funeral mass will be held at a later date for all to attend.  Normally, the funeral is an opportunity for the community to gather in support of one another. Although we cannot gather together with Susan’s family at this time, friends may still offer their support by sharing a special memory or message by clicking the link above.