Susan W. Chew

Susan Wetherby Chew, 87, passed away peacefully in her home, with family by her side, on Sunday, September 26, 2021.

Susan was born in Derby, Connecticut on December 29, 1933, to Kenneth and Lillian Wetherby. Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Niels Arthur Chew and her elder sister, Mary Elizabeth Plunkett.

Susan spent her childhood in Orange, Connecticut, followed by two years of boarding school at Dana Hall, in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Two more years at Briarcliff College in New York earned her a Secretarial degree, and she was then hired by the Remington Rand Company in New York City.

In 1954, Susan met Niels in New York City, and they were married the following year, on January 8, 1955. Niels and Susan lived in Larchmont, New York until in 1963, when Niels’ business brought the family to San Mateo, California.

In 1973, now four children in tow, Susan and Niels moved to the beautiful Sonoma Valley. In 2012, after 39 years in Sonoma, they ventured north a bit to Santa Rosa to be closer to their children.

Susan had a wide circle of dear friends, with whom she enthusiastically worked, played, and volunteered over the years. She was an adventurous and independent woman, traveling to England, France, Germany, Wales and Ireland several times to hike with her ladies’ group. For nearly 35 years, Susan was also an avid daily walker with her beloved Sonoma “walking girls” group. Once she was an empty nester, she co-owned and operated a women’s clothing store in Sonoma, followed by several years of volunteering with the critical services organization, F.I.S.H., and the Vintage House Senior Center.

Susan’s greatest joy was her family. She relished spending every possible moment with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Susan created beautiful dinners and exquisite tables for every event she hosted, whether it was a Friday night dinner, a girlfriends’ luncheon, or a Christmas Eve celebration.

Susan is survived by her younger sister, Emily Wetherby, and her four children, Gordon Wetherby Chew (Anne), Lisa Chew Rossi (Peter), Jennifer Chew Ord (Eric) and Andrew Edward Chew (JoAnn), nine wonderful grandchildren, Nicholas (Gina), Tyler (Amy), Emily, Sterling (Elizabeth), Spencer, Meryl, Shelby (Nick), Alexander and Hannah, and five great grandchildren, Faith, Wyatt, Lillian, Eira and Cash, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Susan was our thoughtful, generous, gracious and beautiful matriarch and she will be so missed.

A celebration of life will be held for Susan Chew on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 2 o’clock at Saint Andrews Church, 16290 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA 95476

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to F.I.S.H. in Sonoma.   

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