Susan Atherton Haggerty

HIGHGATE - Susan Atherton Haggerty, age 76, passed away on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at her home in Highgate.

She was born Susan Louise Spratt; in South Norwalk Connecticut on September 30, 1949. Daughter to the late Stewart & Gloria (Dietz) Spratt. She grew up on Yost Street near the shores of Long Island Sound and spent countless hours swimming and fishing there and always enjoyed going back to the ocean. Younger sister to Donna and older sister to Barbra and Jean. One time seven-year-old Susan hijacked Donna's row boat and the current swept her out to the marsh. She had a determined, resilient, level-headed spirit.

The Spratt's moved from South Norwalk to Georgetown, CT in 1965. Susan graduated from Staples High School (Westport, CT) in 1967. From there she pursued further education in the medical field.

Susan came to Vermont in 1971. She then began working as a medical assistant at a nursing home and the Given Health Clinic in Burlington, VT. While starting off as a young, independent professional, Susan lived with good friends Charles & Freda Burnor who took her in as one of their own. Throughout this time Susan found her love for Vermont, gained amazing friendships and grew deep roots in the local area.

In August of 1973 she married Everett Atherton Jr. She was immediately embraced into the Atherton clan especially by Everett Sr. and Doris (whom she lovingly referred to as 'Mom and Dad'). Together they raised their two children on Maple Park in Enosburg Falls.

Susan worked as a medical assistant, in Enosburg, for several decades. She took great pride in providing care to her patients over the years and was a master at drawing blood.

Everett's passing, in 2013, left a void in Susan's life, yet she displayed remarkable strength and resilience. On August 10, 2024, she found love again, marrying Allen Haggerty, with whom she shared joyful moments in their time together.

Susan enriched the lives of all who knew her through her warmth, creativity, and unwavering love for her family. Susan loved spending time outdoors, she found joy in the simple pleasures of life, often spending hours tending to her garden. Sue was a magnificent chef partially due to her mom's passion for cooking. Her pastry was unmatched. Annual fall traditions included making apple sauce and green tomato relish. Her culinary skills were matched only by her talent for sewing, quilting, and creating beautiful barn quilts.

Susan's greatest pride and joy were her grandchildren. They were the light of her life, and she cherished every opportunity to create lasting memories with them.

She is survived by her children, Jeff Atherton and his wife Joy, and Lisa Delorme and her husband Drew; grandchildren, Evan, Ira, Cora, and Ella; her husband, Allen Haggerty; his children, Justin Haggerty and his wife Treah, and Ryan Haggerty and his wife Sarah; Allen's grandchildren, Jude, Jett, Dylan, and Jackson; her sisters, Donna Soxman, Barbara Bennewitz and her husband Scott, and Jean Sullivan and her husband Greg; siblings-in-law, Janice Fletcher and her husband Noel, Garth Atherton and his wife Judy, Lawrence Gregoire, Cosimo "Coke" Brigante, Debra Atherton, Henry Haggerty and his wife Virginia, Carolyn Smith and her husband Real, and Wilda Haggerty; and many nieces & nephews. In addition to her parents, Susan was predeceased by her first husband, Everett Atherton Jr.; and siblings-in-law, Phyllis Gregoire, Lorraine Brigante, Corrine Gregoire and her husband Paul Sr., Garry Atherton and Thomas Soxman.

Friends & family are invited to Susan's life celebration to include visitation from 4 - 7:00 PM on Friday, December 19, 2025 at the Goss-Spears Life Celebration Home, 96 Dickinson Avenue, Enosburg Falls, VT. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at the Enosburg Falls Methodist Church, Church Street, Enosburg Falls, VT. Interment will be held in the spring in Richford Center Cemetery.

For those who wish, contributions in Susan's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Condolences, photos, and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com