Susanne S. (Santoro) Whayne

Mrs. Susanne S. (Santoro) Whayne, of South Boston, died Thursday, January 19th in Tufts Medical Center. She was 79.

Susanne was born in Waterbury, Connecticut on June 21, 1943, the daughter of the late Primo and Magdalene (Shaffer) Santoro. Raised in Meriden, Connecticut, she was a graduate of Pratt High School and continued her studies at Simmons College in Boston and at the University of New Hampshire where she earned her master’s degree in education.

Susanne was the beloved seventh and eighth grade English teacher at Hood Junior High in Derry, New Hampshire until her retirement. She was a passionate educator for more than 30 years and was a founding member of the teacher’s union in her school district. After her retirement she and her husband, the late Coleman “Wally” Whayne, lived for a time in Minnesota before returning to Massachusetts where she returned to teaching in Sudbury Public Schools for another ten years.

When not in the classroom Susanne maintained a circle of close friends and always looked forward to getting together with her ‘wine and food’ group. Together they would share meals and laughs, catching up with one another and discussing the week’s happenings.

In addition to her husband, Wally, she was predeceased by her step-son, the late Evan Whayne.

She leaves her daughter, Miranda J. Miller of South Boston, her step-son, Colin Whayne and her brother, Christopher Santoro of Key West, Florida.

Family and friends will honor and remember Susanne’s life by gathering to visit in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Saturday, January 28th from 2 to 3 p.m. followed by her funeral service at 3 p.m. Burial will be private.