Susan Mary Kielinen Obituary

Susan Mary Kielinen, 75, of Rockport, passed away on July 25, 2022, in Beverly Hospital. Susan was born on December 10, 1946, to the late John N. and Sylvia W. (Jacobson) Kielinen.

She has lived in Rockport all of her life. She graduated from Rockport High School in 1964 and from Salem State (College) University in 1968 and received a Masters degree in Education, from Salem State in 1972. She was a teacher in the Gloucester School system.

Susan started teaching at the West Parish School in 1968 and later taught at the Veterans' Memorial School. She retired from teaching in 2004 after teaching for the Gloucester Public Schools for 35 years. She was also a member of Pi Lambda Theta, an Educational and Professional Honor Society. She loved teaching and was dedicated and hard working. She enjoyed working with the many children in her classes and was proud when her former students were able to have success in various subjects and as adults in varied occupations.

She was involved in many professional and community organizations. In 2004, Susan became a member of the Board of Directors of the Sandy Bay Historical Society. She was elected as President in 2005 and served from 2005-2008 as president of this organization and continued to volunteer for Sandy Bay Historical Society. She has been on the Board of Directors for many years. She was always interested in the history of the town of Rockport. She also served on the Friends of Halibut Point State Park Board of Directors and was a volunteer in the Visitor's Center at the Park during the summer months for many years.

Susan was an active participant in the Gloucester Teachers Association, College Women's Club of Cape Ann, the Pigeon Cove Chapel, and Gloucester Assembly of God. She also volunteered at the Addison Gilbert Hospital gift shop, for local flu clinics, and served as a Town of Rockport poll worker. In addition, she was also a member of Finlandia Foundation, (Boston chapter), Cape Ann Finns, Thatcher Island Association and a local Finnish language group.

She liked to travel, read, write, visit National and State Parks, observe the natural beauty of the world, visit museums, and to take walks with her father, sister, cousins, and dogs.

Her sister Cynthis E. Kielinen of Rockport, MA, survives Susan. She is also survived by cousins throughout the United States and Finland. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Sylvia (Jacobson) Kielinen and her brother, John Matthew Kielinen.

A memorial service will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St. Gloucester, MA on Monday, August 1, 2022, at 2 p.m. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend. At Susan's request there will be no visiting hours. Her private burial will be held in Locust Grove Cemetery in Lanesville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to a charity of one's choice, or, Gloucester Assembly of God, 211 Washington St. or the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930.