Susan (Loose) Francis

GRAY – Susan Loose Francis, 82, passed away peacefully on Aug. 5, 2025, in Gray, surrounded by her family and her beloved cats, Leia and Jedi.

Born Susan Abigail Loose on April 7, 1943, in Yonkers, N.Y., she was the daughter of Helen (Clough) Loose and Theron Chauncey Loose. She grew up in Ohio and graduated from Elyria High School in 1961. Susan went on to earn her degree from Westbrook College in Portland in 1964 and later from Husson College in Bangor in 1980.

Susan’s career reflected her love of words, learning, and helping others. In the early 1970s, she worked as a correspondent for The Bangor Daily News, covering Waldo County. She also held several secretarial positions, including with the Forestry Department at the University of Maine in Orono. Her most fulfilling role was as an Alternative Education Teacher at United Technologies Center in Bangor, where she helped high school students earn the credits needed to graduate

After Susan retired in 2007 she moved to Gray to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. Known lovingly in the neighborhood as “Nana Sue,” she poured her boundless energy into knitting, crocheting, baking, and caring for others. She donated hundreds of crocheted teddy bears to the local fire station for children in crisis and made countless “Knitted Knockers” for women recovering from mastectomy surgery. Many friends, family, and neighbors treasure handmade items crafted with her love. To her grandchildren and their friends, she was a constant source of cookies, creativity, and kindness.

Susan is survived by her daughter, Sarah Francis; grandson, Curtis Austin, and granddaughter, Margaret Austin, all of Gray; her sister, Patricia Isenberg and family of Virginia; and her “extra daughter,” Melinda Kilgore and family of Maryland.

At Susan’s request, no services will be held.

As Nana Sue often said: “The best gifts are handmade with love.”

Donations in her memory may be made to

Hospice of Southern Maine,

your local school, food bank or animal shelter.