BIDDEFORD — Louise Ann Sutton spent more than 25 years working in the insurance industry before leaving her desk job to pursue a lifelong dream to join the Peace Corps and work in Africa.

Ms. Sutton did more than fulfill her dream — she transformed the lives of hundreds of children in Lilongwe, Malawi in Africa, where she founded the School of H.O.P.E.

Additional Photos

Louise Sutton plays dominos with children in the African country of Malawi, where she founded the School of H.O.P.E. Ms. Sutton died Thursday of breast cancer. Family photo

“She was like my mom,” said Solomon Nkhalamba, a native of Malawi, who is now studying financial economics at the University of Maine at Orono. “She was just amazing. She was helpful and friendly. She helped me go to college. She has always been there for me since the first day we met.”

Ms. Sutton died Thursday after a long and courageous fight against breast cancer. She was 56.

She was remembered by her family and friends Monday as a strong and selfless woman, who inspired people to reach beyond their dreams and live life to its fullest.

Ms. Sutton grew up in Biddeford, the third oldest of eight children. She graduated from Biddeford High School in 1973.

In the late 1970s, she joined Unum as a medical claims examiner. During her 25 years with Unum, she rose through the ranks to senior underwriter for individual long-term care. She later took a position with GenRe, a Connecticut-based reinsurance company. At the time, she lived in Manhattan, N.Y.

Ms. Sutton was on the fast track to a promising career at GenRe when her life came to a standstill on Sept. 11, 2001, when hijackers crashed two planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

Her sister, Kathy Sutton of Biddeford, said that day changed her. Soon after, she began the process of joining the Peace Corps.

In 2003, she was sent to Africa to work in Lilongwe. She was part of a group that offered AIDS awareness and education. She taught local people how to grow gardens and sew and started a club for young girls to help empower them to make a difference. Her sister said the experience changed her life and their lives, too.

“She felt like she was opening up their eyes to a better future down the road,” her sister said. “Louise gave them opportunities that they never knew existed. She wanted to provide the children more than anything the opportunity for them to get an education.”

And she did. She founded the School of H.O.P.E., which stands for “Having One Peaceful Earth.” The school serves more than 100 children.

At the time of her death, she was enrolled at the University of Vermont, studying for her master’s degree in international affairs.

Over the past few years, Ms. Sutton returned to Lilongwe three times to continue her work at the school.

“We’re grateful that she was able to go back to Africa,” her sister said. “She loved it more than words can express.”

Nkhalamba, who is expected to graduate in May, plans to return to Lilongwe this summer to continue Ms. Sutton’s work there.

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at: mcreamer@pressherald.com

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