SOUTH PORTLAND — Susan E. Danforth, 53, of South Portland, died unexpectedly on January 27, 2013 at a Portland hospital.

She was born in Methuen, MA a daughter of George A. and Jeanne T. Bernardin Danforth, Jr. Susan was a 1978 graduate of Andover High School and a 1982 summa cum laude graduate of Merrimac College of North Andover, MA. She also earned a master’s degree in English at the University of Vermont, where she also served as a graduate teaching fellow.

Susan worked for the Portland Symphony Orchestra as a marketing assistant and publications coordinator, and then more recently for Bowdoin College as Associate Director of Communications and College Editor. The staff at Bowdoin jokes that no communication goes in or out of the college without Susan proofreading it. She had a passion for music and education.

Quiet time was spent at the home she loved either reading a classic novel, writing, or watching old television. She also was a fan of figure skating and looked forward to the professional skaters’ annual visit to Portland. The “skate show” as she called it was something she never missed.

Susan is survived by her parents of York; two brothers, George Arthur Danforth, III of North Andover, MA, Stephen J. Danforth and his wife Cynthia of Andover, MA; nieces, Jennifer McMahan of Charlotte, NC, Stephanie Danforth of Andover, MA; a nephew Stephen J. Danforth, Jr. of Andover; maternal aunt and uncles, Annette Bernardin of Winter Harbor, ME, Peter Bernardin of Seal Beach, CA, Leo Bernardin of Appleton, WI; and a special cat “Samantha”.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 31, 2013 at the Bowdoin College Chapel in Brunswick. Spring interment will be held in York.

Those desiring may make donations to: Westbrook Animal Refuge League, PO Box 336, Westbrook, Maine 04098. Arrangements are being handled by Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.