Susan Kaplan, 84

 PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Susan Adler Kaplan passed peacefully on Oct. 30. Known for her tenacity, strength and compassion, Susan was respected in the community and acknowledged nationally for her contributions to education as a teacher, administrator and mentor.

She attended Connecticut College before receiving two degrees from Brown University: A.B. (’58) and M.A.T (’65). After teaching English at Classical High School for 28 years, Susan served as administrator of English and Libraries for the Providence Public School System. Continuing her passion for education, Susan held numerous roles with the Rhode Island Writing Assessment, Rhode Island Writing Project and the Blackstone Academy. The first faculty member to be honored by the Classical Alumni Association, Susan was also named Providence Teacher of the Year, and Teacher of the Year by Good Morning America. Her love for teaching extended to roles as an adjunct professor at Providence College and Roger Williams University, and consulting in New York, California and Egypt with the Ministry of Education.

In addition to her family, friends and students, Susan’s greatest joy was her affiliation with her alma mater. Born to Brown graduates, Lt. Colonel Walter Adler (’18), a founding partner of Adler Pollock & Sheehan, and Celia Ernstof Adler (’25), Susan served as a Trustee, a Trustee Emerita and Chair of the Corporation Emeriti Executive Committee. She chaired 100 Years of Women at Brown, served as the Associate Chair of the Advisory Council on Brown Relations with Tougaloo College, and chaired the Ogden Lectures on International Affairs. Brown honored Susan with an Outstanding Teacher Educator Award, a Brown Bear and an Ittleson Award.

Her community activities were numerous. With a love for theater and the arts, Susan was a proud supporter of the Trinity Square Repertory Company, in honor of her late husband, Robert M. Kaplan, a founding member. She also served on the boards of Temple Beth-El and The Miriam Hospital.

Survived by her loving granddaughter, Samantha Ashlee Bowen, her sister Nancy Adler Morrill, many beloved nieces and nephews, and other family members. Susan was the devoted mother of the late Patricia Kaplan Bowen and sister of the late Joan Adler Mark.

Contributions may be made to the Susan Adler Kaplan Memorial Fund for Public Education at Brown University, Box 1877, Providence, RI 02912.