Susan Heiser Hadden, of Grafton, Vermont, and Sugarloaf Key, Florida, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Grafton on June 9, 2026. She was born on December 11, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Charles and Dorothy Heiser.

Susan had an extraordinary range of interests and was well known for her intelligence, warmth and wit. She adored mineralogy, American history, literature, art, and music, and she was never at a loss for something interesting to learn or discuss. She freely shared her time, knowledge, humor and friendship with everyone, from close friends and family to complete strangers in checkout lines.

Her lifelong fascination with rocks, minerals, fossils, and geology began at age five with an arguably ordinary but pivotal collection from the family driveway, which her father unwittingly threw away. What started in the driveway led to museums, publications, and the designation of several Vermont state symbols. She wrote for and contributed to several mineralogy publications, including The Mineralogical Record, and was an active and engaged member of the Brattleboro Mineralogical Society for decades.

In 1989, Susan co-founded the Grafton Museum of Natural History (now The Nature Museum), which first opened its doors above the Grafton Town Hall for a rent of $1. She founded the Vermont Museum of Mining and Minerals, which operated for many years in Grafton and was known as a “true gem for rockhounds.” She also led the effort to have Vermont adopt its official state gem, mineral, and state rocks in 1992: grossular garnet, talc, granite, marble, and slate. (There WILL be a quiz at the end of this obituary.)

Susan was an accomplished artist whose work included many life-size portraits of rock musicians. Walking into her home often meant crossing paths with Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, or Jon Bon Jovi, often with classical music or opera blasting in the background – though just as easily Tom Waits, Reverend Peyton or Stevie Ray Vaughan.

A dedicated Florida snowbird for many decades, she was also active for many years in the Sugarloaf Key Property Owners Association, where she served as President and was instrumental in protecting land on Sugarloaf through state conservation efforts. She was also a big fan of Key West chickens.

She is survived by her daughter, Kate Hadden; her step-children, Jane Geisse, David Hadden and John Hadden; her step-grandchildren, Jesse, Erica, Ali, Boo, Taylor, and Emma; a growing number of step-great-grandchildren; and her two dogs, Milo and Matilda (aka the Bumpus Dogs). She was predeceased by her husband, Alexander H. Hadden, and her step-daughter, Betsy Hadden.

A private service will be held for the family.

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

Grafton Cares Phone: (802) Website: https://graftoncares.org

Grafton Rescue Squad Phone: (802) Email: [email protected]

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.