Gagnon, Susan Leslie (Schneider) , 71, of Fairfield Harbour, New Bern, passed away on Friday, December 15, 2017 at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hannah and Samuel Schneider, and by her brother, Mark.

Sue is survived by Edward W. Gagnon, her loving husband of 44 years. Born in Brookline, Massachusetts on February 23, 1946, Sue was a graduate of Brookline High School Class of 1963 and Lesley College. She and Ed were long-time residents of Needham, Massachusetts. In her professional life, Susan was a Technical Consultant and Corporate Trainer with Polaroid Corporation – a career that spanned more than 30 years. Prior to that, Sue was a Research Fellow at Boston’s Childrens’ Hospital. Outside of work, Sue led a full life. She enjoyed going to the theater and concerts of all sorts, from Jimmy Buffett to the symphony. She and Ed also loved to travel. Memorable trips include their windjammer cruise through the Panama Canal, a cruise in Alaska, and, early in their marriage, an eight-week, cross country camping trip. And of course, there was Sue’s great love of dogs, especially Airedales. While living in Massachusetts, Sue worked with the Needham Community Theatre, and was a Red Cross volunteer. Sue was a member and past commander of the Great Blue Hill Power Squadron. Sue and Ed were known for hosting an annual Fourth of July breakfast. This became a real Needham tradition, attended by hundreds each year. Susan also started another holiday tradition in Needham. Every Halloween, Sue would set up a photo studio in their front hall and give each Trick-or-Treater a Polaroid instant photo instead of a candy treat. Once Sue and Ed settled in Fairfield Harbour in 2013, Sue was just as busy. Here, she became involved in the Cape Lookout Sail and Power Squadron. She was active in the Fairfield Harbour Newcomers Club, the Fairfield Harbour Garden Club and the Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club. In addition, she enjoyed writing articles for the Fairfield Harbour Beacon and was a founding member of the Ladybirds luncheon club of Birdland, Fairfield Harbour. She was also a volunteer for the annual MS Bike-a-Thon, and the local NPR station. Susan will be remembered for her kind and loving heart, sense of humor, and love of life. As one of her dear friends said so beautifully, “Her light will continue to shine bright in the memories of all whose lives she touched. We will miss our Sweet Susan tremendously. Burial will be in Highland Cemetery, Dover, Massachusetts. Funeral from the Burke & Blackington Funeral Home, 1479 Washington St., (Rte. 16), West Newton, Friday, December 22 at 10:00 AM. Interment in Dover Cemetery. A memorial service and celebration of Sue’s life will be held in Fairfield Harbor at a later date. Remembrances may be made in Sue's memory to the American Heart Associations