Susan M. Murtha

Susan Marie Farrell Murtha passed away Wednesday, December 23, 2020 following a lengthy illness. Born September 21,1952 in Queens, New York, she was one of eight children born to James A. Farrell, Jr. and Joan Tager Farrell, along with her siblings Barbara, James, Dennis, Donald, Nancy, John, and Ruth. (James, her twin brother, predeceased her in 1994.)

The family moved to Rockville Centre, New York when Sue was ten where she attended St. Agnes Cathedral School and subsequently Southside High School from which she graduated. She later studied photography at the New School in Manhattan.

Early in Sue’s life she relocated to the Hampton Bays area where she met and then married Douglas Murtha in 1978, and they established a home in Southampton, New York. Together, they raised two sons, Douglas Jr. and Robert, who have gone on to lead successful lives of their own and, with their spouses Chandler and Chanice, presented Sue with four beautiful grandchildren: Cadence, Kaia, Madeline and James. Her grandchildren were the light of Sue’s life and provided much joy in her later years.

It was in Southampton that Sue established a long and successful career in real estate, culminating at Brown Harris Stevens, where she earned Top Salesperson of the Year. Moreover, with Sue’s help, her husband owned three iconic restaurants: The Cruiser Club and The Drivers’ Seat in Southampton, and The Chart Inn in Hampton Bays. She was also by his side as he served as a two-term Mayor of the Village of Southampton.

As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and businesswoman, Sue’s life was filled with joy and accomplishments, and she contributed so much to her loving family and many friends.  Sue’s life impacted not only her family --  parents, siblings, husband, sons, grandchildren, mother- and father-in-law, brothers- and sisters-in law, and nieces and nephews -- but she also made a difference in her community.

Later in life, even facing significant health challenges and the loss of her husband and parents, Sue never lost her unique style and exuberance for life. She was beloved by the staff at St. Catherine’s Hospital -- particularly those in the outpatient Dialysis Department, who provided her with great comfort and help in recent years.

As we say goodbye to Sue, we celebrate her life: Who she was, all that she achieved and the positive difference she made in the world around her. We comfort each other in our loss with the memories of better days, the knowledge she is at peace and her suffering has ended, and she is in a better place with those she loves. We all are better for having had her in our lives as she brought us much fun and joy.

Due to COVID-19 and gathering risks, funeral services will be held in private.

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