Mother Susan was born in Florida, and raised in Georgia and South Carolina. She met her husband, Tom, in high school, and together they attended the University of the South, marrying shortly after that. Tom is an instructor with the Culver Academies, and is also in formation for ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests. They have two daughters - Sarah, age 12, who is currently in the 7th grade, and Rebecca, age 9, who is currently in the 3rd grade. They also have a dog named Poly (short for "polynomial") and a cat named Jaboo.
Mother Susan joined St. Paul's after having served for three years at the Cathedral of St. James in South Bend, first as Associate Pastor and then as Priest-in-Charge. Prior to that, she served for five years at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Plymouth, first as a lay minister, then after her formational process and ordination to Holy Orders, as a Deacon. Outside of the parish she has served as the Diocesan Liturgist, as Chairperson of the Pastoral Ethics Committee, in a Christian/Muslim Women's Dialogue Group, and on the Summer Camp Design Team and Program Staff.
In addition to her ministry experience, Mother Susan has also worked as an interpreter, teacher, counselor, and in the recording industry. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Music and French from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and her Master of Divinity with emphasis in spiritual direction/pastoral counseling from Sewanee and Vanderbilt. She also has a Master's Degree in Music (Voice Performance) from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.