Suellen Aiken, 72, of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully at home on Sunday October 10, 2021 with her beloved life partner Richard W. Walker by her side. She was the daughter of the late Dorothy M. (Fell) Aiken and Warren V. Aiken, and the sister of the late Robert W. Aiken.
Suellen graduated from Fairhaven High School and Westfield State University with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She landed her first teaching position on her twenty-first birthday.
Suellen taught school in Granby, Connecticut for four years before moving home to teach in Mattapoisett. She bought her home in 1973 and started teaching at the Center School. Later she transferred to Old Hammondtown School and taught grades 4 and 5 there for many years. After retiring, she served many students at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School as a long-term substitute teacher and private tutor. Mattapoisett has always been known for its dynamic school system and Suellen always felt blessed to be a part of maintaining that excellence. She also cherished her friendships with many former students and co-workers.
Aside from teaching, she was also a food server for thirty years. She enjoyed serving her customers at Mildred’s Chowder House in Hyannis, the Skipper Restaurant in Fairhaven, and Louie’s on the Wharf in New Bedford. Her last restaurant gig was at Matt’s Courtyard Restaurant in Fairhaven, where she retired from in 2009.
Suellen also served her town of Mattapoisett as a deputy shellfish warden for five years.
In her younger days, she enjoyed playing tennis, skiing, gardening, and relaxing at the beach. Later in life, her passions turned to being an avid golfer, traveler, and reader. She was a member of the ladies’ golf leagues at Rochester Golf Course and Acushnet River Valley Golf Course for years. She made many great memories and friends.
She and Richard were Diamond members on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. They spent as much time as possible cruising in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and throughout Hawaii. She also enjoyed immensely her vacation months with Richard in The Villages, Florida. She was known for being a very sociable person and was loved by many. She enjoyed entertaining and being entertained by others.
Suellen is survived by her beloved Richard, her aunt, Marjorie Kidd, and her very close cousins, June and Bill Dumas, Kellie Dumas Cain, and Robert Dumas. She also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and cousins, and many dear friends. Sadly, Suellen leaves behind her gorgeous little pooch, Lola.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven on Thursday October 14, 2021 at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to It’s All About the Animals, Inc., 103 Marion Rd., Rochester, MA 02770, Humane Society and Shelter – Southcoast, 31 Ventura Drive, Dartmouth, MA 02747, or Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
