Susan Mary Dahl (formerly Ridgeway), born in Bristol England to Sidney Ridgeway and Katherine (Dawes) on March 7, 1945, died peacefully in her sleep on August 23, 2025. Susan’s journey from this earth was accomplished on her terms, with no "fuss" and she was accompanied in her last weeks by family and friends, near and far.
In her extraordinary life that spanned continents, she found a family in her life partner, Dick Horton and his family. Dick and Viva (her beloved Vizsla) predeceased her in 2021. She is survived by Dick's children and spouses, Gayle and Bob, Rick and Ellen, Dick's grandchildren children Sean and his wife Elizabeth, Doug and his wife Kelly, Danielle and her husband Mike, and seven great grandchildren.
Suan grew up in Bristol, surrounded by the love of her parents. After finishing school, she moved to London to train as a nurse at Great Ormond St. Hospital for Children, where she met some of her greatest lifelong friends. She lived in Greece and Texas, ultimately moving to Massachusetts. Here she met the love of her life, Dick, with whom she shared a home in Medfield, MA, always with at least a Vizsla or two. She obtained a Master’s degree from Cambridge College, as well as her CADAC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor) and devoted her nursing career, in the United States, to treating substance abuse. In retirement, she continued her love of travel, including trips to India, Africa and multiple Caribbean island destinations, including many trips with her beloved father. She and Dick devoted much of their time to training their cherished Vizslas.
Susan was a life-long friend to Jenny Brinsdon (deceased in 2018) and her husband Tony. She was “Auntie Sue” to their four children and spouses, Freya and Mark, Virginia and Brendan, Rachel and Rabih, Jeremy and Bianca, as well as their seven children. With the Brinsdon family, Auntie Sue and Dick celebrated all the holidays, including Boxing Day, where Auntie Sue always made the best English trifle and Banoffi pie.
Susan made friends wherever she went, from teaching chair yoga to seniors in Medfield, to yoga classes at the Millis Ashram, to the church members at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Sherborn. In her later years, she very much appreciated her companions who kept her laughing at both Wingate and The Willows, including her nurse Tina who was devoted to her care and well-being. Susan mastered Whats App to maintain weekly chats with her lifelong friend Hilary Macaulay in England, and nursing friend Liz Martelli in France.
Susan, known as Auntie Sue to some and Granny to others, is remembered for her strong spirit, always making the most of any situation, and focusing on the positive, no matter how dire the situation.
She will be missed. A celebration of her life will be on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m. at the Willows, 44 Willow Pond Circle, Medway, MA.