Susan Marie O'Neil

Susan Marie O'Neil of Derry, NH, passed away on September 9, 2025 at age 81, surrounded by her loving family after a seven-month battle with cancer.

She was born on August 6, 1944, in Chelsea, MA, to her parents Edna Claire Beck and Samuel T. Beck. Susan was the eldest of seven siblings.

She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Carl Timothy (Tim) O’Neil; as well as her brother, Scott Beck; sister, Lauren Christian; and brother-in-law, Charles O’Neil.

She is survived by her three daughters: Jessica Humphrey and her husband, Jack Humphrey, of Exeter, RI; Caitlin Faught of Seattle, WA; and Mollie O’Neil and her husband, Gregory Bernier, of Derry, NH. She is also survived by three siblings: Karen Yingling and her partner, Hellmut Bitterauf, of New Sharon, ME; Paul Beck of Plymouth, MA; and Leslie Boyd and her husband, John Boyd, of Madison, ME.

Her beloved grandchildren include Emily DeMasi and her husband, Owen DeMasi; Caroline Humphrey; Amanda Humphrey and her partner, Austin Raposa; Hannah Everson and her husband, Alex Everson; Aedon Faught; Addison Bernier; and Sophia Bernier; along with her great-grandson, Brady Everson.

Other extended family includes her sister-in-law, Judith O’Neil; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Susan—known as Nana Susan or the Grand Fromage—loved a good cosmo and a game of Scrabble with her girls. She protected and loved her family with all of her heart. Those who knew her appreciated her one-liners and witty sense of humor, and her joy of dining out. Even toward the end of her life, Susan kept laughing and smiling with her family.

She now joins her late husband, Tim, on their sailboat, Whaleback, in the ocean of heaven. They are basking in the sunshine and listening to Orinoco Flow as Enya sings, “sail away, sail away, sail away,” looking down on all of us with pride for the love they created together. She will be deeply missed, and we will celebrate her every day.

The burial will be private, and a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Community Hospice House of Merrimack, NH, at: Support NH Hospice Care: HHHC Donations & How You Can Help.