Burlington native and jazz vocalist Susan (Wilson) Squier died at age 88 on July 17, 2026. She was born to W. Woodrow and Madelyn (Redmond) (Wilson) Millett of Burlington on December 13, 1937. She was a graduate of the Cathedral High School Class of 1955. In her teens, Susan began singing with local jazz musicians in and around Burlington. She became an accomplished jazz singer, performing throughout her life in clubs in Burlington, Stowe, Sugarbush and beyond. She was admired for her classy and warm renditions of jazz standards and songs of the times.
Susan married Kenley D. Squier on August 18, 1962. They lived and raised their children, Ashley and Travis, in Waterbury and Stowe. Though their marriage ended in 1985, they remained close friends until his death in 2023.
Susan worked with her mentor, Dr. William Deane, from 1965 through 1975 at the Vermont State Hospital. She taught psychodrama, sensitivity training, group dynamics and multiple family therapy. She earned a BA in 1980 from Goddard College, where she developed a lifelong love of reading and writing poetry. She later published a book of her poems. She received her first master’s degree, in special education with the multihandicapped, in 1983 from Johnson State College, after which she began a private psychotherapy practice in Morrisville.
In 1986, Susan moved to Fire Island, N.Y., and began a life with her beloved Ernest A. Rieger. She received her MSW in 1990 from Stony Brook University. She worked at Victim’s Information Bureau (VIBS) in Hauppauge, N.Y., for 12 years, serving as a counselor for victims of domestic violence, rape and incest. In this work, and in her private practice in Northport, N.Y., she was committed to helping people who were otherwise unable to afford psychotherapy services.
After the death of her husband, Ernie, in 1998, Susan moved back to Burlington. She purchased a camp on Colchester Point on Lake Champlain, where she lived life to the fullest, hosting friends, family and, most lovingly, grandchildren on the shores of the lake, which was a source of beauty, peace and joy for her. She resumed her singing career, most notably with the group Pine Street Jazz, and she recorded two CDs. For many years, Susan volunteered at the front desk of the Committee on Temporary Shelter (COTS) and was a legal advocate in the court system for Women Helping Battered Women. She was a two-year board member of the Women’s Rape Crisis Center.
Susan was proud of her children, to whom she gave her unconditional and unending support. She was an integral part of her grandchildren’s lives. They called her “Div,” and Div she was to all her family. She cherished many, many treasured friendships. She is survived by her daughter, Ashley Jane Squier of Waterbury; son, Travis Graham Lloyd Squier of Morrisville; grandchildren, Cicely, Cash and Nico Thom; brothers, Patrick Wilson and Will Jeffries; niece, Katie Wilson; and nephews, P. Ryan Wilson and Conor, Dashiell and Christian Jeffries. She also leaves many dear cousins, especially Peg Maffitt of Burlington, and friends, especially Brian and Janet Harwood of South Burlington. Susan’s family expresses gratitude for the superlative care she received in her final year of life from the loving staff of the memory unit at Birchwood Terrace.
A gathering to celebrate Susan’s life with memories and music will be held on Saturday, August 22, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Waterworks in Winooski. If you can join us, please RSVP by emailing Ashley at ashleyjane4651@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, consider making donations to COTS, Women Helping Battered Women and HOPE Works.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Cremation Society of Chittenden County, a division of the Ready family. To share memories and photos and to send online condolences to the family, please visit cremationsocietycc.com.