Obituary of Susan Flinn Newberry

Susan Flinn Newberry, age 76, died unexpectedly from natural causes on November 7, 2023. She passed away at her home in Minnesota, in the company of family.

Susan was born in Rochester, MN, on May 29, 1947. During her childhood, her family set down temporary roots in Madison, WI, and Rochester, NY, but Susan would eventually make her way back to Minnesota, the state she loved. Along the way, Susan graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, a school also attended by her mother, father (medical school), son, and daughter. It was during her time in the Chicago area that she met the love of her life, Tom. Though he is a proud son of Florida, Tom’s home state was no match for Susan’s when it came time to choose where to settle down and raise a family.

Susan lived a life full of adventure, sport, photography, family, friends, and love. In her thirties, she traveled the world on a series of culinary odysseys, training under renowned chefs in distant locales, and bringing home irresistible flavors to nourish and delight her husband, children, friends, and the countless cooking-class students she taught at Kitchen Window in Minneapolis. Always intrigued by food and our relationship with it, Susan went on to work at General Mills for 31years, engaged in consumer research. 

Susan was a devoted volunteer in the classrooms, ice rinks, and ballparks that shaped the joy-filled childhoods of her kids, always supportive and helping seek out enriching experiences for those she loved. She was the most unselfish person, never missing an opportunity to make someone feel like they were part of the family. Susan spoiled her grandchildren, and loved them to the moon and back. She will be greatly missed. 

Susan was preceded in death by her father, Dr. John Flinn, and her mother, Marion Flinn. She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Clarence “Tom” Newberry Jr., sister Lucy Cribben (Dennis), brother Peter Flinn (Margaret), sister Patricia Flinn (William Gibson), son Christopher Newberry (Ashley), daughter Sarah Newberry Donovan, son Peter Newberry (Ebony), grandchildren Georgia, Sacha, Althea, Solvei, and Gabe.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, December 17, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Avenue, Edina, MN. Visitation begins at 3pm, program at 4pm, reception to follow. A remote livestream will be available for those who cannot attend – to receive link for livestream, please send an email to: susanmemorial@chrisnewberry.com

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in her honor to The Mayo Clinic Cancer Center or Second Harvest Food Bank. Links below.

Donate to Mayo Clinic Cancer Center (check “Make this donation a tribute…” and enter Susan Newberry)

Donate to Second Harvest in memory of Susan Newberry