Susan H. Levine

Susan Helene (Mahler) Levine, 75, passed from this life as peacefully as one could hope on February 28, 2026 at Evergreen at The Lakeside, Fernandina Beach, FL. A resident of Nashua, NH since 1985, she and her husband David had wintered in The Lakeside community for the past four years. Susan had fought metastatic breast cancer for four years and ultimately succumbed to a complication, leptomeningeal disease (LMD).

The first child of Barbara I. (Overlock) and Guenther A. Mahler, Susan was born on January 13, 1951 in Bennington, VT. An outstanding student, Susan graduated from Arlington Memorial High School, Arlington, VT as Valedictorian of the Class of 1968. Subsequently, she earned a BA in Mathematics in 1972 from Clark University, Worcester, MA and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Susan began her career as a computer systems analyst at WPI-Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Worcester MA), before moving on to American Optical (Southbridge, MA). She retired from Wang Laboratories (Lowell, MA) in 1994, after which she tutored literacy as a volunteer at Nashua’s Adult Learning Center.

In 1990 she married her much-loved husband, David A. Levine, who supported Susan wholly in the activity about which she was most passionate, caring for animals. She had a soft spot especially for senior dogs and adopted and nursed several through their final years. Starting as a volunteer in 2001 at the Humane Society for Greater Nashua (HSFN), no job was beneath her. Ultimately, she trained as an adoption counselor and had the satisfaction of successfully placing dozens of animals in their “fur-ever” homes.

Despite being afflicted with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for much of her adult life, Susan was determined to live her life as fully as she could. She accepted her lot without complaint, and she embraced modalities such as yoga and meditation to help her manage her symptoms. Friends and family teased her about her “FOMO” – Fear of Missing Out – but admired her tenacity. Susan loved her family, friends and animals unconditionally. She was known for her optimism, graciousness, wit, compassion and her desire for peace. Her brilliant smile and the warmth of her hugs were Susan’s signature.

Susan was predeceased by her parents, Guenther and Barbara Mahler, her father-in-law Richard Levine and her stepmother-in-law Marlene Levine.

In addition to her devoted husband David Levine and canine son Elvis of Nashua, NH, Susan leaves behind a sister and brother-in-law, Stephanie Mahler and Kirby Schuller of Fox Point, WI; a brother and sister-in-law, Andrew and Carol Mahler of Roswell, GA; and nephews Eric Mahler of Sacramento, CA and Justin Mahler of Roswell, GA. She also is survived by her brother-in-law Andrew Levine and his wife Holly of Newport, RI; niece Danielle Levine of Middlebury, VT; and brother-in-law Jeffrey Levine, his wife Christina and nephew Jeremy Levine, all of Peabody, MA. Susan also is remembered by her cousins William Overlock of Winter Haven, FL, and Karen Thompson of Lake Wales, FL, and their families.

The family wishes to thank Mayo Clinic – Jacksonville for diligently and compassionately caring for Susan during the past four years. We have no doubt that their efforts lengthened her life and enhanced the quality of that life.

The family also is indebted to the staff of Evergreen Memory Care Unit at The Lakeside for their tender and dedicated care during the last two months of Susan’s life. They embraced Susan like family and became valued friends of the family as well. Lastly, the family thanks Breanna Morales and Ashley Baker of Concierge Care for their steadfast devotion and companionship to Susan during that time.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, through their website (https://www.hsfn.org/tributegifts) or by mailing a check, payable to Humane Society for Greater Nashua, 24 Ferry Road, Nashua, NH 03064.

Arrangements are pending for a committal service at Park Lawn Cemetery, Bennington, VT, in summer.