Susan Tyler Rhett Mills

Susan Tyler Rhett Mills, of Chestnut Hill and Ambler PA, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 28th, 2025. She was 86. Sue was a resident of Fort Washington Estates for the last ten years of her life - first in Independent Living, then Assisted, and then well cared for in the skilled unit for her final two years. She was known there for both her loving kindness and her spicy attitude.

Born on September 13th, 1939, Sue grew up on Long Island and in Stamford Connecticut with her two much-loved sisters. In Connecticut she attended Low Heywood School and Centenary College. She was known there for both her loving kindness and her beauty.

Sue married Matthew Mills in 1960 and moved with him first to a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, and then to Philadelphia. She had her daughter Brooke in 1962 and her son Benjamin in 1966. She divorced in 1968 but stayed in Philadelphia, where as a single mother, she kept her children very involved with her sisters and their cousins, for which they are forever grateful. As a mother she was known for her loving kindness, putting an incredible amount of thought into the books she gifted, and some pretty strong opinions about food.

Sue stayed in the Philadelphia area and worked as an administrative assistant at Germantown Friends School, which she loved. She had three grandsons who she adored more than anything else in the world. As Nana Sue she was known for her boundless love, generosity with her time, making the best chicken nuggets ever, taking the kids out to eat and introducing them to fondue, reading the same books over and over without impatience, acquiescing to Chuck E Cheese visits, and planning their Christmas gifts in June every year.

Sue loved the beach (especially Cape Cod, MA and Lewes, DE), walking outside (if not at the beach then along the Wissahickon), board games and card games, farmers markets and craft shows, movies, tennis, chardonnay, books, her garden, laughing, art, democracy, fresh food, and British murder mysteries. But most of all she loved family. Sue was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Elizabeth Rhett, and by her beloved sisters Cathy Dooley and Patricia Keating. She is survived by her children Brooke Mills and Benjamin Mills (Becca). Very dear to her were her grandchildren Tyler, Nick, and Nate; her nieces and nephews Kim McCaig (Mark), Nancy Dooley (Reid Treadaway), Michael Dooley (Emily), Sam Keating (Carrie), Sarah Keating (Jennifer) and all of their children; her friends; and her caregivers.

Sue's wish for you all would be to spend time with your loved ones, to read and stay informed, and to vote. In lieu of flowers she would love for you to donate to medical research (especially for Cancer or Parkinson's disease) or your local congressman.