Susan M. (Flood) Houston

Houston, Susan Marie (Flood) 1955 - 2021 passed away peacefully in her home in Wrentham, MA on March 21, 2021. Memories of Susan live on in the hearts of all who knew her, most especially her husband of over 38 years, Joseph N. Houston Jr., her siblings Patricia Flood David, Evelyn H. Troiano, Mary F. Treeful, Thomas J. Flood Jr.and his wife Pauline, her much-loved nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends far and wide. She touched so very many lives with her passion, warmth, and love. In her own words, "My family is everything to me. I need to be near them to be completely happy."
Susan gave her heart and soul to her community. She will be remembered for her work as an advocate for disability rights and a dedicated employee in the Complex Rehab Equipment industry, devoting her spare time to advocacy for people with disabilities, including lobbying in Washington DC yearly. In her role as co-chair at the Wrentham Commission on Disability, she helped make local businesses accessible. As former president and ambassador of the Ms. Wheelchair Massachusetts Foundation and in conjunction with Ms. Wheelchair America and the annual Abilities Expo, she worked for social change on multiple levels.
Her work lobbying and meeting with senators and representatives in Washington D.C.helped to ensure the continuation and enforcement of the Americans With Disabilities Act. For more than ten years, first as secretary and later as president of the Mass Hospital School Alumni Association, Susan helped plan the annual alumni day reunion, a social event that hundreds of alumni looked forward to each year. She was instrumental in helping pass bills to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities.
Susan's favorite things were tied to family and friends. She loved Christmas traditions of decorating the tree and staying up late watching It's a Wonderful Life with her niece, Trey. She looked forward to handing out candy on Halloween and delighted in the children's costumes and their smiling faces. Susan loved reading and belonged to a neighborhood book club, which was a source of great friendship. She was also a long-standing member of the Holy Trinity trivia team, competing in (and frequently winning!) weekly trivia competitions for many years. Susan could always be relied on for her amazing recollection of movie and TV trivia.
Susan's home was filled with love. She hosted porch-sits on warm, sunny days and kitchen-sits in cooler weather, always laughing and sharing stories. She loved Disney vacations with family and friends. Her strength uplifted those around her. Such a vibrant life cannot be fully captured in so brief a memorial to an amazing woman, wife, sister, aunt, friend, advocate and role model. In her own words, "I am a people person. I love meeting people. I am a talker...I can usually start a conversation with anyone."
Susan was a vital member of her community and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. In her own words, "My disability hasn't stopped me from doing most everything I want to do." It must be added that her ability helped all whose lives she touched.
There will be calling hours at Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home from 4-8 on Thursday, March 25 for family and close friends. The funeral mass will be held Friday, March 26 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Norwood and can also be attended via livestream (link: http://www.stcatherinenorwood.org/newpress/?page_id=25412 ). There will be a private burial at Knollwood Cemetery in Canton.
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Susan's name to either of the following organizations: Old Colony Hospice ( https://www.oldcolonyhospice.org/donation-overview ) or The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies ( https://disasterstrategies.org ).