Susan Buttimer

Susan Phile Buttimer of Bel Air, MD, died on June 5, 2019. She was born May 25, 1944, in southern New Jersey and grew up there, an only child, but surrounded by aunts, uncles, grandparents, great-aunts and great-uncles, and cousins near her own age. Although the families moved apart, this extended family was very important to her. She graduated from Susquehanna University in 1966 and married Thomas W. Buttimer on September 30, 1967.

Susan was a musician, singing for many years with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Chorus where she was a soloist and section leader, and with the Concert Artists of Baltimore where she was a soloist and on the original board. She taught voice and piano privately, and was a prolific composer of vocal music. She was commissioned to compose, and then conducted, a choral and organ piece, Make a Joyful Noise, for the 200th anniversary of her church, the Bel Air United Methodist Church (BAUMC). Friends and family looked forward to receiving an original carol from her each Christmas. She also wrote many poems, sermons and meditations.

From an early age Susan was upbeat, fiercely independent, and determined. But she struggled to remain sunny after a series of major losses in quick succession: her mother Elizabeth (Betty) Thaidigsman Phile to early dementia, her father Joseph C. Phile, Jr. to an early heart attack, and her husband Tom, the love of her life, to a terrible auto accident in 1990. The same accident left her in a coma for six weeks with severe head and throat injuries. She was told she would probably never speak, sing, or play the piano or organ again, but her determination, positive disposition, and religious faith helped her overcome many obstacles. Over time she recovered speech, resumed her teaching, and became the leader of music for the Mt. Carmel Chapel, and later resumed singing in the Bel Air United Methodist Church choir.

The family will be hosting a Memorial Service at Bel Air United Methodist Church, 21 Linwood Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014, on Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 2:00 pm.

Susan was devoted to her faith, to her church, and to music, especially sacred vocal music. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor her memory may be made to BAUMC (belairumc.org)