Susan Bryant Protheroe, age 78, passed away on June 7th, 2019 at her beloved home on Lake Buel in Monterey after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Susan was born on Jan. 23, 1941 in Guatemala to Lois and Norman Lothrop. She spent her childhood on horseback in Arkansas.
She graduated from East Bridgewater High School and proceeded to receive a BA in English at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She was married in Medfield, Mass., in 1963 to Thomas Protheroe. She taught special education and English as a Second Language, worked as a children’s librarian, and was an avid storyteller. Later in life she pursued a masters in environmental science and spent a lifetime birding and enjoying the natural world.
She was a passionate lover of books, old musicals, and singing; she was a member of Berkshire Sings and the Monterey chorus. Susan was a long time member of the Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire and volunteered for the local food pantry. She loved to swim and kayak on Lake Buel. In their retirement years, Susan and her husband Thomas had many fond memories of their winters spent in Florida.
Susan is survived by her husband Thomas Protheroe, son David Protheroe and daughter-in-law Rebecca Protheroe of Glastonbury, Conn.; daughter Carolyn Stewart and son-in-law Brian Stewart of Great Barrington; grandchildren Evan, Drew, Brett, and Bryn Protheroe and Annarose and Eleanor Stewart. She is predeceased by her grandson Cameron Protheroe. She will be lovingly remembered as a joyful and kind free spirit. A celebration of her life will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire at 1089 Main St. Housatonic, Mass. on August 10th at 3 p.m. Susan was an avid adopter of rescue dogs. In honor of her beloved dog Hobie requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Berkshire Humane Society in Pittsfield. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
