BELFAST — Susan Tobey White, of Belfast, Maine, died peacefully at home on September 22, 2024. She was born August 22, 1949, in Westfield, Massachusetts, daughter of Guy William Tobey and B. Ruth McKinlay Tobey. She graduated from Granby Memorial High School in Granby, Connecticut and Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut.

In 1975, she moved to Palermo, Maine with her husband, Mark, where she spent the next ten years living off the land and raising their family on their small farm. After moving to Belfast in 1986, she taught elementary art in the MSAD 34 school district for 18 years until retiring to become a full-time artist and opening High Street Studio and Gallery in Belfast, Maine. A high point in her painting career was the completion of her Lobstering Women series and her book, Lobstering Women of Maine in 2023. She will be remembered for the many lives she touched through teaching and making art.

Susan is survived by her husband of 52 years, Mark M. White; her three children and their families: Megan (Tom) Abercrombie, Thatcher (Rachel) White, Kendrah (Greg) Galassi; and six grandchildren, as well as her sister, Joanne Tobey Donn, and numerous cousins. 

She was predeceased by her brother, John Tobey.

In honor of Susan and the vibrant art the she brought into our our lives, her gallery located at 111 High Street in Belfast will be open for viewing one last time on Saturday, October 26, from 12 - 4 p.m. All are welcome to stop by to share memories and walk through her creative space.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Susan’s memory to: 

Waterfall Arts www.waterfallarts.org, Penobscot Marine Museum www.penobscotmarinemuseum.org, or

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network www.pancan.org

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com