Obituary of Susan Schlichting
Susan Adele (Lynch) Schlichting of Basking Ridge, New Jersey passed away peacefully in the presence of loved ones at her home on September 12th, 2022 at the age of 71.
Susan was born in Livingston, NJ to Robert and Elizabeth on July 9th, 1951. She went to Livingston High School and graduated in 1969. Susan went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Wells College. To care for her ailing mother, she withdrew from her graduate studies in psychology. After a time working on Wall Street and raising children, she became the Parish Administrator at St. James Church in Basking Ridge, a position she loved for many years and where she had the joy of working with Monsignor William Capik and many other clergy. While serving the St. James community in many capacities, she helped lead several capital projects: adding a gym to the school, building a new church, and establishing Bethel Ridge, a residential community to support and empower adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. She later went on to serve at Our Lady of the Mount in Warren, NJ and St. Elizabeth & St. Brigid Parish in Peapack, NJ.
Susan’s life is best characterized by the love she showed to her friends and family, walking beside many through their most difficult days. She never forgot to send a birthday card and supported the passions of many children beyond her own. That love was returned to her in abundance. Despite her fierce independence and her private nature, she was blessed with a wide circle of loving, devoted friends. She will be remembered for her beauty, elegance, intellect, and wit.
Much of her time was spent volunteering and organizing fundraisers at St. James, particularly in her years as Home School Association Co-President. She had a love of words, devouring several books per week and completing the New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle in pen each Sunday. She was happiest spending time with her son, shopping, travelling in style, playing golf, reading, and laughing with friends over a glass of Pinot Grigio or at the casino.
Susan is survived by her son, Colin Lynch of Winthrop, MA, his husband Erik Maki, her beloved granddog Marla Pooch, and her brother, William (Kathi) Schlichting of Berkeley Heights, NJ. She is preceded in death by her parents, her dear stepmother Barbara (née Beatty) Schlichting, and her son Peter Lynch.
Visitation will be held at Gallaway & Crane Funeral Home in Basking Ridge on Thursday, September 15, 2022 from 9:30am until 11:30am, followed by funeral rites at The Church of St. James in Basking Ridge at 12pm. A private burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the many wonderful and loving friends who have enriched Susan’s life over the years and who helped her to laugh and maintain dignity in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Bethel Ridge www.bethelridgenj.org. For further information, or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com.