Susan Devlin Switzer

Susan Devlin Switzer, 82, passed peacefully on December 14, 2024 with family at Friends of Caroline Hospice in Ridgeland SC.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland on June 20, 1942. Susan was the eldest of 7 siblings born to the late Harry Joseph and Miriam Frances Devlin (nee Rogan).

Raised in Catonsville, Maryland, she attended St. Mark’s school and was a 1960 graduate of Mount de Sales Academy. A natural athlete, she excelled in all sports, especially basketball, and in her senior year was honored with the title “Spirit of Sport” by her classmates. That year as an original “Sailor,” she was a leader of the first interscholastic basketball team representing Mount de Sales in four games against neighboring Catholic girls’ schools. In 2012, Susan was inducted into the Mount de Sales Hall of Fame, an honor she cherished and openly shared with her 1960 teammates on that occasion.

In addition to contributing to the beginning of Mount de Sales' interscholastic history, she also led St. Mark’s to CYO Championships. Her most prized possessions were a ragged St. Mark sweatshirt emblazoned with “St Mark 1959-1960 CYO Champs,” and the trophy that chronicled the same.

A great source of personal pride was her career in Baltimore’s Mercy Hospital Department of Radiology; as a student, then technician, and most important to her, as a teacher. She was recognized for her devotion to her students and dedication to her craft, as well as a skilled prankster in the darkroom.

Susan was introduced to Harman Switzer on a blind date on August 5 1966, and the two were married on February 17th, 1968.

In 1974, the Switzers, now including 4 year old son Michael, relocated from Bel Air, Maryland to West Windsor Township, NJ. An accomplished tennis player and bowler, she continued both sports with new friends in New Jersey and volunteered as an aide to Michael’s first grade teacher, Tamara Keys. It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

Susan embraced the opportunity to become the first female softball coach in the West Windsor Girl’s Little League, and for 17 years she led “her girls” to league and district championships, earning the love of her players and the respect of their parents. She was honored, upon her retirement to Callawassie Island, SC in 1996, with a plaque on the right field fence recognizing her contribution to the league and the township.

Settling into a new life in the South Carolina Lowcountry on Callawassie Island, she continued her tennis, a sport she loved, plus acquired her husband’s addiction for the game of golf. Ever the natural athlete and leader, her lowest score was 79, and she served as president of the Women’s Golf Association.

Susan was a passionate Orioles’ fan. As a young girl she had welcomed the Orioles back to town in 1954 at their Opening Day Parade; 12 years later she would stand in line overnight in the cold outside of Memorial Stadium to buy two tickets to the 1966 World Series. One for her, and one for that guy she had met on a blind date several weeks before. They would celebrate their 40th anniversary and many more at the place of Susan’s choice... Orioles’ Spring Training.

Susan joins her late parents and sisters, Sarah Devlin Libby (Lew) and Mary Mugnier Devlin; and leaves behind her husband of nearly 57 years G. Harman Switzer 3rd, son Michael Rogan Switzer, daughter-in- law Renata Samson Switzer, Granddogs Kinzie and Evie; and her surviving siblings Harry J. Devlin Jr. (Martha), Sheila Hagan (late Paul), Francis de Sales Devlin, and Maureen Rogan Smith (Jim) and countless nieces and nephews on both coasts... she will be missed.

Susan will return to Baltimore to be reunited in burial near her grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews of the Rogan clan in New Cathedral Cemetery. Friends and family may gather at Candle Light Funeral Home, Catonsville, MD, on Thursday, January 9, 2024 from 1:30-4:00 for a Memorial Gathering. A second Memorial Gathering will be held at the Candle Light Funeral Home on January 10 2024, from 10:00-11:00, with a Memorial Service at 11:00. A Graveside Service at New Cathedral Cemetery will follow the Memorial Service. Anderson Funeral Home in Beaufort, SC supported her return home.

The family wishes to extend its gratitude to Friends of Caroline Hospice and Dawson and Dawson Home Care for their compassionate support of Susan during this trying time.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Susan’s memory to the Mount de Sales Academy , Catonsville, MD. or Friends of Caroline Hospice , Ridgeland, SC.