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Susan C. Pendleton

Date of Death: March 3, 2026

Date of Birth: June 12, 1946

Biography:

Susan C. Pendleton, 79, of Topsham, Maine, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026 with family by her side.  She was born June 12, 1946 in Lewiston, Maine and adopted shortly after birth by Frank and Ruth Pendleton. 

After graduating from the Mary A. Burnham boarding school in Northampton, MA, she graduated from Bates College where she majored in English.  A firm believer in education and life-long learning, she continued her education mid-life and graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a Master’s in Adult Education.

Sue’s early career started with the Bar Association of Maine, then the Maine Correctional System.  That was followed by 13 years at UNUM and subsequent insurance companies after her move to Massachusetts.  She retired as the manager of the Career Center in Lawrence, Mass.

An impeccable dresser, she loved boating, dance, theater, music, and golf.  Sue was especially fond of traveling, especially the river boat cruises she took with Fred, her loving husband of 30 years.

Sue is survived by her two children, Peter Trask (Christine) and David Trask (Kim); three step-children, Kenneth Gifford (Kathy), Cynthia King, and Stephanie Elder (Sam); many grandchildren; and companion Richard Kauff.  She is predeceased by her parents Ruth and Frank Pendleton; husband, Frederick Gifford Jr.; and step-son Frederick Gifford III (Yuhong).

A committal service will be held in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Lewiston, ME.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org) or CHANS Home Health & Hospice (https://www.mainehealth.org/chans-home-health-hospice).