Susan Marie Barber Coppedge, 54

Susan "Susie" Marie Barber Coppedge, 54, died on Saturday, December 6, 2014, at her home on Pleasant Bay in East Harwich, MA., Susan, who had what one friend called "an amazing spirit for life," will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her, especially by her immediate family: her husband, Roy F. "Copey" Coppedge III, their son, Peter Banks Coppedge, and the family dog, "Pandit."

Susan was born on April 14, 1960, in Hendersonville, North Carolina, to late Dr. Leonard Banks Barber and Constance Clark Howard. Growing up, "Susie" treasured spending time and creating wonderful memories at Lake Lure, where her family enjoyed their summer residence. She challenged "friendly" competition with her brothers, and was an avid water and snow skier. Although she was always the apple of her father's eye, she has cherished the special relationship with her loving stepmom, Elizabeth "Betty" Barber Girard.

Susan graduated in 1982 from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry. She was an active member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and, in the words of her older brother, Bobby, "loved her Tar Heels." She always enjoyed returning to North Carolina and in recent years, she was fortunate enough to spend time in their beautiful home in the mountains of Hendersonville enjoying family and friends.

Professionally, Susan was a gifted stockbroker. From 1984 to 1987, she worked with Dean Whitter Reynolds, Inc. in Winston Salem, prior to relocating to Boston, where she soon joined Smith Barney/CitiGroup Global Markets, Inc. She then joined Morgan Stanley in 2006. She was currently senior vice president and partner of Morgan Stanley's Boston Team, offering portfolio management, as well as financial planning and trust services.

Losing her father in 1985 to a brain tumor, profoundly shaped Susan's determination to help her fellow man. As she explained in the newsletter of the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center, "Sometimes it takes life experiences to make you realize how important it is to help. My father's death made me realize it's important not to take from life, but to try to do something to give back." When a cause or charity reached out to Susan, she was not only generous of her financial commitment to them, but she was a devoted volunteer as well. The Park Street School in Boston, the Inner City Scholarship Fund of Boston, the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as well as her Alma Mater, U.N.C. all benefitted from her generosity.

Susan, always vibrant and outgoing, enjoyed gourmet cooking and entertaining family and friends. She was captivated by the beauty of nature, enjoying all four seasons. She enjoyed traveling and was always up for any new adventure. Whether you were celebrating a birthday, holiday, or a special event, Susan always showered family and friends with spectacular floral arrangements and thoughtful gifts. She had such energy for life that friends affectionately called her "Non-Stop."

In addition to her husband, "Copey", and her beloved son, Peter, her mother, Constance Clark Howard and her husband, Cliff of Elizabethton, TN. and her stepmother Elizabeth "Betty" Barber Girard, Susan is survived by her four step-children: Schuyler Coppedge, and his wife, Irene, Walker Coppedge and his wife, Jill, and Luke Coppedge and his wife, Antonella and Sophie Coppedge Walker and her husband, Brian. Four grandchildren: Grace, Phoebe, Christopher and Luke. Two brothers John Sheldon Barber and his wife, Kathy of North Augusta, SC and Robert Douglass Barber and his wife, Robin of Greenville, SC., as well as six nieces and nephews she adored.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 10, 2015 in Chatham, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Susan's memory can be made to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 350 South Huntington Avenue, Boston MA, 02130.