Obituary: Susan Squier
December 13, 1937 - July 17, 2026
July 25, 2026 Burlington native and jazz vocalist Susan (Wilson) Squier died at age 88 on July 17, 2026. She was born to W. Woodrow and Madelyn (Redmond) (Wilson) Millett of Burlington on December 13, 1937.
Susan Squier, 1937-2026
She graduated in the class of 1955 of Cathedral High School. In her teens, Susan began singing with local jazz musicians in and around Burlington. She became an accomplished jazz singer, performing throughout her life in clubs in Burlington, Stowe, Sugarbush and beyond. She was admired for her classy and warm renditions of jazz standards and songs of the times. Susan married Kenley D. Squier on August 18, 1962. They lived and raised their children, Ashley and Travis, in Waterbury and Stowe. Though their marriage ended in 1985, they remained close friends until his death in 2023.
Susan worked with her mentor, Dr. William Deane, from 1965 through 1975, at the Vermont State Hospital. She taught psychodrama, sensitivity training, group dynamics, and multiple family therapy. She earned a BA in 1980 from Goddard College, where she developed a lifelong love of reading and writing poetry. She later published a book of her poems. She received her first master’s degree in Special Education with the Multi-handicapped in 1983 from Johnson State College, after which she began a private psychotherapy practice in Morrisville.
In 1986, Susan moved to Fire Island, New York, and began a life with her beloved Ernest A. Rieger. She received her Master’s in Social Work in 1990 from Stony Brook University and worked at the Victim’s Information Bureau in Hauppauge, New York, for 12 years, serving as a counselor for victims of domestic violence, rape and incest. In this work, and in her private practice in Northport, New York, she was committed to helping people who were otherwise unable to afford psychotherapy services.
After the death of her husband Ernie in 1998, Susan moved back to Burlington. She purchased a camp on Colchester Point on Lake Champlain, where she lived life to the fullest, hosting friends and family, and most lovingly, grandchildren, on the shores of the lake, which was a
source of beauty, peace and joy for her. She resumed her singing career, most notably with the group Pine Street Jazz, and she recorded two CDs. For many years, Susan volunteered at the front desk of the Committee on Temporary Shelter and was a legal advocate in the court system for Women Helping Battered Women. She was a two-year board member of the Women’s Rape Crisis Center.
Susan was proud of her children, to whom she gave her unconditional and unending support. She was an integral part of her grandchildren’s lives. They called her “Div,” and Div she was to all her family.
She cherished many, many treasured friendships. She is survived by her daughter Ashley Jane Squier of Waterbury, her son Travis Graham Lloyd Squier of Morrisville; her grandchildren Cicely, Cash and Nico Thom; her brothers, Patrick Wilson and Will Jeffries; her niece Katie Wilson, and nephews P. Ryan Wilson and Conor, Dashiell and Christian Jeffries. She also leaves many dear cousins, especially Peg Maffitt of Burlington, and friends, especially Brian and Janet Harwood of South Burlington.
Susan’s family expresses gratitude for the superlative care she received in her final year of life from the loving staff of the memory unit at Birchwood Terrace.
A gathering to celebrate Susan’s life with memories and music will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Waterworks in Winooski. To those who would like to attend, please RSVP by emailing Ashley at ashleyjane4651@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, consider making donations to COTS, Women Helping Battered Women, and HOPE Works.