Susan Maines Saydah

Susan Maines Saydah, 85, passed away on September 21, 2023 following a stroke, surrounded by her loving husband of 50 years, Gil, and her loving son, Gib. 

Born on November 20, 1937, and raised in Tenafly, NJ, Sue was a nurse and nursing educator who cared for others her entire life. Graduating from Tenafly High School in 1955, Sue received an Associates degree from Fairleigh Dickinson in 1957, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Columbia University in 1960. In 1961, Sue joined the Columbia faculty teaching nursing, and, ever the student, continued her studies while working full-time as a nursing professor, earning a Master of Arts in Nursing Education in 1965, and a Master of Education in Educational Technology in 1971.

In 1972, while on a trip to San Francisco, Sue met fellow Tenafly-native Gil Saydah.  The two married and moved to Santa Rosa in 1973, driving cross country in Sue’s beloved light blue 1967 VW Bug.  They welcomed their son in 1975. 

After moving to California, Sue continued working in nursing and education as the director of the Visiting Nursing Service of Sonoma County, teaching CPR and continuing education for nurses, and volunteering for various non-profit groups, including the American Cancer Society. Sue was a member of the nursing honor society, Sigma Theta Tau, education honor society, Kappa Delta Pi, and Fairleigh Dickinson honor society, Phi Zeta Kappa. 

Sue loved visiting national parks, learning about ecology and geology, reading and writing poetry, listening to music, and supporting the Herbert Slater Marching Band, which would practice around her neighborhood each Spring. Many students will remember Sue as the kind lady standing in front of her house with a big sign that read “I ♥ the Slater Band”.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth & Vernice Maines. Sue is survived by her husband, Gil, her son and daughter-in-law, Gib & Heather Saydah, her grandchildren, Amira & Duncan Saydah, her brother and sister-in-law, Allyn & Nancy Maines, and many cousins, nieces and nephews (and their children and grandchildren). 

A service celebrating Sue’s life will be held at a future date at the Presbyterian Church in Tenafly, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sue’s name to the American Cancer Society. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susan Maines Saydah, please visit our floral store.