Susan L. Witt Topping

On June 9, 2025 Susan L. Witt Topping (also known as Sue Silver) passed away peacefully at home in Shepherdstown, WV surrounded by love and family. Born in Auckland, New Zealand on Feb. 18, 1944, Sue was the only daughter of Charles & Claudia Witt.

She immigrated to the United States in the late ’60s as a registered nurse and later became a nurse anesthetist, practicing for over 50 years. Sue lived a vivacious existence filled with an obvious love for living her best life. As a soul connected to so many, every person she met was impacted by her passion for: poetry, healing, meditation, Sai Maa, Quaker teachings, massage, eastern and western medicine, music, reading, friendships and family. Sue traveled all over the world and explored every culture she could. Her second poetry book, “The Way Opens,” was published on the eve of her passing – a work she dedicated her final months to completing.

Susan is survived by her brother William “Bill” Witt (Colleen) of Pauanui, New Zealand; daughter Hillary (Thaddeus) Stamps of Baltimore; son Grayson Topping (Amanda Newcomer) of Shepherdstown; daughter Philippa “Pip” (Larry) Miller of Shepherdstown; granddaughters Danica & Rea Stamps and grandson Decimus Stamps of Baltimore; nieces Sarah (Glen) Keeley, Vanessa Witt (Graeme Anderson), and Emma Witt all of North Island, New Zealand.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church on Sunday, June 29 at 3 p.m. Live Stream will be available through the church’s Facebook page. Flowers may be delivered to the church on Friday, June 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Alternatively, donations may be made in Sue’s honor to Hospice of the Panhandle.