Susan Sheldrick Kemp OBITUARY

Susan Sheldrick Kemp OBITUARY

Susan Sheldrick “Sue” Kemp, age 90, passed away peacefully in Redwood City, California, on Monday, October 13, with her daughter, Audrey, and son, Jonathan, by her side. Born on March 16, 1935, in Newark, New Jersey, to Malcolm and Mary Sheldrick, Sue grew up in Hopewell, NJ, alongside her sister Virginia and brother Malcolm Jr. A gifted student with a creative spirit, she graduated second in her class from Princeton High School, where she was active in dance, theater, and choir–early signs of the artistic passion that would shape her life.

In June 1954, Sue married Maurice Kemp Jr. and embraced the adventures of Navy life, living in Pensacola, FL, Hutchinson, KS, San Diego, CA, and Honolulu, HI, before settling permanently in Palo Alto in 1961. After her marriage ended in 1969, she began a treasured 50-year partnership with Don Ryan, a real estate developer, whose companionship filled her life with love and shared cultural pursuits.

Sue built a meaningful career in development, spending three decades supporting Menlo School and College, Sacred Heart Schools, and Catholic Charities–institutions that reflected her dedication to both education and community enrichment.

An accomplished pianist and lifelong arts enthusiast, Sue found joy in both performing and supporting the creative world around her. She gave piano concerts at La Comida and the Palo Alto Women’s Club, sang with the regional choir, Schola Cantorum, and infused her community with music through her beloved annual Christmas carol sing-alongs. Sue was equally devoted to the broader arts: she served on the board of the San Jose Symphony, frequently attended performances of the San Francisco Symphony, opera, and ballet, and traveled widely to explore art museums across the United States and Europe. Her home brimmed with beautiful art books that reflected her wide-ranging curiosity and appreciation for creativity in all its forms.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Sue relished friendly competition on the tennis court as a longtime member of the Palo Alto Tennis Club. Those who knew her will remember her warmth, her charm, and her ability to fill every room–whether a concert hall or a living room–with energy and grace.

Sue is survived by her sister, Virginia Erion; daughter, Audrey Kemp, and her husband, Bob Dahlberg; son, Jonathan Kemp, and his wife, Cora Kemp; and her grandchildren, Lauren Kemp, Andrew Kemp-Dahlberg, and Lexie Kemp-Dahlberg. She will be deeply missed by all who shared in her generous, art-filled life.

A celebration of Sue’s life for family and friends will be held on January 17th, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sacred Heart Schools, 150 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027 (https://www.shschools.org/support-shs) or Schola Cantorum, 650-B Fremont Avenue, Suite 321, Los Altos, CA 94024 (https://scholacantorum.org/donations).