Born to Samuel Jackson Sproule and Alfreda Jones Sproule in Norfolk, Virginia on June 5, 1932, Susan Gerrish Sproule Slemp Gress passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 25, 2024.
Sue S. Gress
Sue, as she was known, had been a resident of New Canaan since 1964, was renowned among her large group of family and friends for her lengthy annual Christmas letters she used to bring her friends up-to-date with all of her exploits over the past year along with all the family comings and goings, births, marriages, careers and other adventures. Many looked forward to this “publication” as a spark and reminder to keep up with their broad scope of friends.
Beyond being a very busy mother of four children, Sue had two career paths she pursued; one as an office manager, with New Horizons (a corporate relocation business), Wellington & Albrect (the first all female law firm in Connecticut) & Williams & Co (a graphic arts firm), the latter reignited her other career (or better said, passion) as an artist. Her early years as a painter transitioned into her second career as a sculptor in her later years. The sculpting was initially to revive her hand strength so she could paint again, however she took to it so well, she never went back. Her talent as a sculptor elevated to where her work was shown in several galleries across Connecticut, Southern Maine , and culminating into a full gallery showing in The Synchronicity Gallery in Manhattan.
She is survived by her four children, John Calvin Slemp III and his wife Ann Hague Slemp, Gregory David Slemp, James Fredrick Slemp and Ellen Ridgely Slemp…her 6 Grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren
Her smile, sparkle and joy for life will be remembered as well as missed by all that knew her.
A celebration of her life will be held at Hoyt Funeral Home in New Canaan on November 9th from 1pm-3pm.