Former St. Paul’s Church secretary Susanna Robertson dies at 84

Susanna Robertson Howley passed away at the Spring Creek Healthcare Center in Perth Amboy on Jan. 11 due to complications from Lewy Body Dementia. She was 84.

Susanna was born in Washington, DC on Nov. 5,1939 to Durante W. Robertson, Jr. and Betty McLean Hansen. In addition to Susanna, her family also included two brothers, Bobby and Douglas. Though the family traveled around the United States, the family settled in Princeton when Dr. Robertson accepted a faculty position at Princeton.

Susan obtained her position as church secretary for St. Paul’s Parish in Princeton in 1964. Serving as parish secretary required use of her many skills with people and organizational skills. Susan served with many priests for over 50 years and became a resource for many families. Even as Susan was in care, she loved to visit with people and enjoyed visiting with the parish office employees.

Susan married Lawrence Howley in 1970, and though they did not have children, Susan was a loving auntie and sister-in-law to Larry’s family. Susan was a devoted wife and Catholic, an avid reader, and a student of the classics. She was a talented needlepoint artist, crafted many pictures, and knitted special dolls for family and friends.

Susan’s husband and parents and brothers predecease her. She leaves behind many friends and family including sisters-in-law, Blanche Ropars (Naperville, IL), Linda (Leonard)Howley-Skuby,(Bloomington, IL), Colleen Gosselin,(Charleston, IL), Maureen (Randy) Pletcher, (Springfield, IL), Tina Howley, (Port Monmouth, NJ) Many nieces and Nephews who received many a handmade gift, including Robert Ropars, Sebastian Howley, Emily Ropars-Smith, Elliot Ropars, Elisabeth (Joseph) Susco, Dante Susco, Ned (Anna) Lawrence, Maximilian, Melinda, Madeline Lawrence, Sara Pletcher, and Anne (Matt)Horne and Wyatt and Noelle.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau St., Princeton, NJ 08542. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Church Cemetery.