Obituary of Susan J. Walker

Susan Joan Walker, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend passed away Sunday, October 23, 2022, on Hilton Head Island, SC. She was 78 years old.

Susan was born on March 10, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY to Joseph and Jane Coyle. She was raised in Collingswood, NJ where she met her husband of 60 years, Merle Walker. She and Merle moved to Martinsville, NJ in 1973. Susan attended night school while raising her family, earning her nursing degree in 1976. Over the course of her career, she worked in the fields of cardiology and elder care, where her kind nature would provide comfort to countless people. They moved to Hilton Head Island in 1996, where she continued in the elder care field for many years.

 Susan was an avid runner, both in New Jersey and following her move to Hilton Head Plantation. She competed in numerous races, even winning her age group in the Hilton Head Island Bridge Race. She also loved sailing, and along with Merle, owned many sailboats over the years, and went on many sailing trips with family and friends. She and Merle sailed out of Skull Creek Marina and were members of the Hilton Head Plantation Yacht Club. Recent years found her enjoying RVing, especially on trips to meet family and friends in the Florida Keys. Susan was a lover of animals, volunteering for many years at the Hilton Head Humane Association, and enjoying the companionship of her yellow lab, Skipper.

 She is survived by her husband Merle Walker of Hilton Head Island, SC; her brother Ted Coyle of Pittsgrove, NJ; sons, Michael Walker of San Clemente, CA, and Daniel Walker of Bluffton, SC; daughter Karen Walker of Port Charlotte, FL; six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Jane Coyle, her twin sister Judy Stefencavage, and her sister Patricia Preston.

 A memorial service and celebration of life will take place on Wednesday, November 16, between 1 pm and 3 pm at The Island Funeral Home, 4 Cardinal Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Susan’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider offering your time, or charitable donations, to the Hilton Head Humane Association, 10 Humane Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926.