Susan G. Kahn

PLAINFIELD, NH- Susan G. Kahn passed away on Sept. 23, 2024, in her home in Plainfield NH at age 77 from the effects of asthma and long Covid (respiratory failure and viral lower respiratory infection) with her husband, Chris Rollins, at her side.

Husband Chris writing: Twenty-some-odd years ago I was searching the Yahoo Personals for someone, and so was Susan. I was casting out quite a way as I perused the Portland, Maine section from my home in New Hampshire, when I saw Susan’s Portland ad: “I’m a Jewish woman who lives in the city, but I love the country. I whine a lot, and I kiss my dog on the lips.” This was somebody different.

We arranged to meet at a Portsmouth, NH restaurant. At the appointed time, Susan arrived in her little red truck “Big Red” with her dog, Sunshine, and I arrived in my Subaru with my dog, Molly. We let Sunshine and Molly meet. Sunshine was a proper gentleman, but Susan said Molly should be named Wild Girl. In the restaurant Susan told me that she grew up in Pittsburgh, PA in a place called Squirrel Hill, with cobblestone streets and brick homes, that she did a volunteer tour in Vista, and that she had earned a Masters degree in Social Work and a Doctorate in Education, and that she had a private practice in Portland as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.

As we ate our fish chowder, I noticed that she talked a lot, and that if she had something to say,she said it. She used some little pills to counter a lactose intolerance and took a puff of asthma medicine.

We got together for a few more weeks, then decided to move Susan from Portland, Maine to Plainfield, NH. She set up her private practice in an office building overlooking Colburn Park in Lebanon, NH, and we began our 22 years together.

In 2015 we were married in her office overlooking Colburn Park in Lebanon, NH.

Susan and I loved the Maine coast, and we annually rented a cottage in Sullivan. We hiked the coastal trails with our dogs, and Susan pulled many porcupine quills from Sunshine’s face, and Sunshine got many rinsings after rolling in some dead fish.

Just as Susan loved the Maine coast, she also loved books, and she kept the local libraries on their toes ordering new books. She was happiest when she had a pile of books to read.

Susan’s asthma, however, was not improving. In May of 2023, she caught Covid which endured as long Covid with its debilitating fatigue and memory loss. Susan closed her private practice and let her license lapse.Over the next few months Susan searched for comfort in her books, and in caring for her little senior dog, Kirby, who was now blind and deaf. She reached out via Zoom to cherished former clients who had become friends. She also loved her small flower and vegetable garden. We began an evening ritual where I would read to Susan. She said it was her favorite time of day, and we both looked forward to it.

Susan’s asthma was worsening, and early morning on Sept. 23, 2024, it became uncontrollable. It was too much for her, and by my side in a tragic moment she was gone.

Susan leaves her brother Marc Grinberg (Marti), nieces Jill Grinberg and Lisi Grinberg-Fluharty, nephew Jeff Grinberg, cousins JoAnn Taylor, Susan Rowen, and David Rowen, and a few clients who became lasting friends, and she leaves her husband, Christopher E. Rollins. Susan was pre-deceased by her parents Nathalie and Leonard Grinberg.

There will be an informal Drop-in at the Rollins/Kahn residence, located at 1216 RTE 12A in downtown Plainfield, NH on Saturday, October 19, 2024, between 1 and 4pm. Susan always hoped people could see the wall-hangings she created, so they will be on display at the Drop-in.

All are welcome. There will be a few refreshments.

Susan supported the Listen Community Services in Lebanon, NH and appreciated all the good they do.