Susan Carter Harris
Susan Harris Obituary
Susan Carter Harris (93) died peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 7, 2026 of complications from the flu and pneumonia. She was the beloved wife of 59 years to the late Peyton Randolph Harris, Jr. (Randy). Known to most as Granny, she was the much adored matriarch of her family. She leaves her daughters Rosemary Thomsen (Stewart Thomsen) and Edith Adams (Stephen Matulis) as well as her grandchildren Sarah Hadden (Payne Hadden), John Thomsen, Katherine Donovan (Edward Donovan), Stephen Matulis, and Christina Matulis (Gus Gleason), and great grandson Henry Gleason. Born in New York City to the late Rachel and Herbert Carter, she was predeceased by her three older sisters Annette Carter, Joy Luke, and Hope Sperry. Susan graduated from Emma Willard School and Vassar College.
Susan moved to New York City after college where she worked for House and Garden Magazine and Conde Nast Publishing. She met Randy on a blind date arranged by close friends. When Randy finished his medical training, he and Susan moved to Orleans, France for two years where Randy served as an Army physician.
Susan embraced the adventure and enthusiastically worked hard to learn French, navigate a foreign city, and take care of her two young daughters. She described these years as pivotal and life changing. She and Randy loved France and returned there many times over the years. Susan and Randy settled in Andover, MA where they raised their family.
Susan was a wonderful, hands-on mother as well as an active volunteer at the Andover Historical Society, the Trustees of Reservation, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and numerous other local organizations. Susan and Randy traveled all over the world in later years and especially loved cross country skiing out West and in Vermont. Susan cross country skied well into her eighties, buying a new pair of skis at age 87. She and Randy enjoyed welcoming their daughters’ families to their vacation home in Stowe for over thirty years in both summer and winter.
Susan also loved vegetable gardening, playing tennis, and swimming (occasionally swimming across Waterbury Reservoir in her advanced years). She walked several miles a day for decades. She continued daily walks until the time of her death. Susan adored and doted on her grandchildren and was an important influence in all of their lives. She spent countless hours at baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse and field hockey games as well as swim meets.
Susan was a longtime resident of Fox Hill Village where she thrived over the years and formed many close friendships. She was the captain of her trivia team and a participant in many Fox Hill trips to cultural events. She greatly enjoyed dinners with her friends and was always eager to meet new residents.
A celebration of life will be held at the Fox Hill Village Auditorium in Westwood at noon on Saturday, January 24; all are invited.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent in her memory to Emma Willard School Advancement Office, 285 Pawling Ave., Troy, NY 12180