Susan Casabona
SUSAN RICHARDS CASABONA 1953-2025
Susan Casabona passed away on August 16, 2025 in the arms of her
husband of 31 years, Philip Sherburne, at their beloved home on Decatur
Island, Washington. She was diagnosed with ALS and short term memory
loss dementia in 2021 and died from complications of COVID.
Susan was born on September 1, 1953 in Norfolk Virginia of Albert and
Nancy Casabona, the eldest of four children. She grew up in Annandale,
Va, attended Jeferson High School, Mount Holyoke College, and Virginia
Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Susan was one quarter
Italian and was proud of her heritage visiting family in Italy. Prior to coming
to Seattle Susan did internships and her Residency at Oregon Health
Sciences in Portland.
Almost all of Susan’s medical career was as an Internal Medicine physician
at the Minor and James Medical partnership. She was part of a small group
of women breaking down barriers in a field long-dominated by men.
Susan, always courageous, successfully led the effort to instate equal pay
for women and maternity leave with pay. Susan was loved by her patients
and respected by her colleagues for her intelligence, optimism and
compassionate care. She was one of the earliest physicians to treat AIDS
patients and to visit them in their homes.
When she retired from medical practice she devoted herself to becoming a
serious competitive tennis player. She brought to tennis the same
commitment, determination and flair she expressed in all other aspects of
her life, playing on several teams that won regional and national
competitions.
She loved her daughters, Leslie and Sara, her husband Phil, her extended
family, and a wide circle of friends with whom she stayed closely connected
throughout her life. She loved travel, movies, entertaining, skiing, and
reading. She loved good food and wine, spending the winters in Palm
Desert, CA and of course, playing tennis. She particularly enjoyed being
part of the loving Decatur Northwest community on Decatur Island in the
San Juan Islands, where she and her family frequently spent time during
the last 32 years of her life
Susan’s optimism and radiant smile spread joy wherever she went. When
she received the cruel diagnoses she vowed to live fully one day at a time,
and she did just that right up to the end of her life, inspiring her doctors,
family and friends. She will be deeply missed.
Susan is survived by her husband, Philip Sherburne, daughters Leslie
Roberson and Sara Sherburne, sisters Eliabeth Cronauer and Helen
Casabona, brother Charles Casabona and stepmother Pat Casabona.
Susan was predeceased by her mother Nancy Casabona and father Albert
Casabona.