A memorial service was held Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 11am
at the West Newbury Congregational Church.
A memorial service was held Friday, June 3, 2016 at 1pm
at the West Newbury Congregational Church.
PDF of Sue's obituary PDF of Gordon's obituary
Photos of Sue's life Photos of Gordon's life
Sue's service
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Susan Mary (Poore) Follansbee of West Newbury passed away at the age of seventy two on
Wednesday, September 4, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer,
surrounded by loving family and friends.
She was born on March 29, 1941 in Stoneham to Howard and Mary (Anderson) Poore.
Her family returned to West Newbury in the 1950's where Susan spent the remainder of her life.
Susan was devoted to her faith, family, and community and was passionate about genealogy and town history.
For over fifty years, she was an active member of the West Newbury Congregational Church.
In her many roles at the church, she served as Sunday school teacher, choir member,
youth group head chef, Treasurer, Deaconess, web page designer, prayer chain coordinator
and was recently named Lifetime Deaconess in recognition of her years of service.
Susan's service to her community included leading Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout troops,
volunteering as a teacher's aide, donating more than ten gallons of blood over her lifetime
and preparing income tax returns for senior citizens. She earned an Associate's Degree in
Computer Technology from Northern Essex Community College in 1986 and worked in
office management for over 20 years.
Susan was a member of The Sons and Daughters of The First Settlers of Newbury,
the West Newbury Historical Society and the West Newbury Historical Commission.
She kept the books for West Newbury's Rural Cemetery and authored a book,
"Cemetery Records of West Newbury" in 1997. She also worked with others to preserve
and repair gravestones in historic cemeteries in Newburyport and West Newbury.
In 2011, Susan co-authored a book, "West Newbury (Images of America)", with her friend,
Jane Wild, a culmination of years of work locating historic photos of West Newbury
as she visited with residents.
In 2012, Susan retired from active service in her church and was honored with a celebration
by her church family and friends. She was named West Newbury's Citizen of the Year in 2013
in recognition of her lifetime of service to the town.
Susan is survived by her husband of fifty four years, Gordon, son Russell and his wife Denise,
daughter Linda and her companion Ruane Crummett, and son Daniel, his wife Lynne and their
children Faith and Joshua, brother George Poore, aunt Emily Poore, aunt Jeanette Poore
aunt Louise Muzrall and many close friends, some of whom knew her as "Auntie Susie."
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the
West Newbury Congregational Church, 308 Main Street, followed by a reception in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the West Newbury Congregational Church
or the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830.
Gordon G. Follansbee, 81, husband of the late Susan Poore Follansbee,
passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, surrounded by loving family.
Gordon, the son of David and Mildred Follansbee, was born in Amesbury, and spent his youth along
the banks of the Merrimack River. After graduating from Amesbury High School in 1956, Gordon proudly
served in the United States Coast Guard from 1957-1961. He married his sweetheart, Susan Poore of
West Newbury, in 1959. Upon his return from service, Gordon and Sue settled in West Newbury and
together built their family home a few doors down from Sue's parents, Howard and Mary Poore,
with whom he shared a close friendship. There, they raised their three children, Russell, Linda, and Daniel
and shared 54 years of marriage. Over the years, Gordon worked for Wason McDonald Dairy, CBS Hytron,
and S&H Greenstamps, and retired after 15 years at the Page Elementary School in West Newbury.
Gordon enjoyed the outdoors, climbing each of the 4,000 foot peaks of the White Mountains at least once.
Throughout his life he tended his large garden and was actively involved with the Laurel Grange's weekly
Farmers' Market. His other interests included fishing, particularly ice fishing with his buddies,
working in his wood lot, traveling across North America with his wife, and spending time with family.
In his later years, Gordon enjoyed dining out daily, with an emphasis on seafood, and was well-recognized
at his favorite local restaurants. Gordon took great pleasure in the companionship of his West Newbury
neighbors, including his daily visits to the West Newbury Food Mart in the early morning hours, where
he would have coffee and visit with friends. He was grateful to the West Newbury Council on Aging for
their service to the town's senior citizens.
Gordon was predeceased by his parents, wife Susan and brother David.
Gordon is survived by his son Russell and wife Denise, of Claremont, NH;
daughter Linda and companion Ruane Crummett, of Natick;
and son Daniel, wife Lynne, and their children Faith and Joshua, of West Newbury.
He also leaves his brother Myron and wife Nancy, of Amesbury; sister Caroline Mack, of Raymond, NH;
sister-in-law Aurora, of Amesbury; brother-in-law George Poore, of California;
and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 3, 2016, at 1:00 p.m., at the West Newbury Congregational
Church, 308 Main Street, followed by a burial with military honors at Rural Cemetery on Chase Street.
All are invited to attend a reception with the family at the church hall, directly following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the West Newbury Congregational Church, 308 Main Street,
West Newbury, MA, 01985, or the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830.
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