Susan Vincent Obituary

Susan (Stark) Vincent, 78, of Thompson, passed away Monday, December 18, 2023. She was the beloved wife of Robert Vincent for 60 years. Born in Meriden, CT, she was the daughter of the late Fredrick Stark, Jr. and Elizabeth (Sattler) Stark.

Her passion in life was raising her children and working as a homemaker.

Susan is survived by two sons, Lyle Vincent and his wife, Dong of Brooklyn, NY, Jared Vincent and his wife, Kristen of Shelburne, VT; brother, Kyle Stark and wife, Ayfer of Quaker Hill, CT; two sisters, Linda Bartis and husband, James of Effingham, SC, Gretchen Went and husband, John of Meriden, CT; four grandchildren, Yijia and Yian, Caroline and Henry. She was predeceased by brother, Fredrick Stark, III.

Susan was a multi-talented, joyous, generous, artistic soul - a true Renaissance woman.

Early in her marriage, she worked as a librarian at Kent State University in Ohio as well as in Lexington, Massachusetts.

An accomplished equestrian, Sue and her husband Rob raised Arabian horses and showed them across the country including at the National Championship in Kentucky.

Sue was an avid gardener with a knack for plants both indoors and outdoors. She won two top honors for her entries in the Newport Flower Show last year. Her vision and ability in architecture and interior design transformed her homes in Thompson, CT and Jamestown, R.I., into stunning estates. And Susan opened both those homes for fundraising events for the Jamestown Library and for Hospice, Homecare and Homemakers of Day Kimball Hospital. Susan even invited second graders each year from the Mary Fisher Elementary School to Greystone Farm so they could learn about pioneer life in their town. Her love of history and genealogy extended to setting up exhibitions for the Thompson Historical Society, where she served as treasurer. Susan raised thousands for the organization with her annual Christmas Shop at the Thompson Old Town Hall. In 2023, Susan was honored as Thompson's Volunteer of the Year.

Susan was a long-time trustee of Old Sturbridge Village and she supported many other non-profit programs.

In addition to being an expert seamstress and crafter, Sue and Rob raised bees, keeping hives at both homes and sharing their harvested honey with family and friends. It was with those people Susan was happiest hosting large gatherings for clambakes, fall parties, weddings and many holiday celebrations.

Sue's abundant life will be celebrated at the Meeting House in Old Sturbridge Village on Thursday, December 28th at 11 a.m.

The family requests memorial gifts may be made to Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566 or to the Thompson Historical Society, P.O. Box 47, Thompson, CT 06277.