Obituaries

Susan Joy Utt, longtime Newport resident, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026. She was 84.

Born September 22, 1941, in Champaign, Illinois, Susan moved with her family to Van Nuys, California in the late 1950s. A gifted student, she earned a scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles, where she graduated and began forging her own path at a time when few women did.

Her work took her from Nashville to Cincinnati, where she forged a distinguished career in city planning and urban housing. She was respected supervisor in city government, known for her intelligence, leadership, and commitment to equity.

Susan had a keen eye for design and spent years restoring homes, eventually creating a welcoming space in Newport. She loved antiquing, reading, and sharing her discoveries with family and friends. Known for her quick wit and humor, she brought joy and laughter to those around her.

Fiercely independent yet deeply connected, Susan maintained close relationships with her family and a wide circle of friends. She was especially devoted to her nieces and nephews and was known for her generosity, compassion, and quiet acts of kindness toward both people and animals.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Melinda Faber, Daniel Faber, Tracy Utt Hartfiel, Tana Utt Steen, Brian Utt, Patrick Utt, Roger Utt, Gary Utt, and Deborah Webb; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Patricia Jane Utt, Richard Utt, and Ralph Utt; her great-niece Courtney Utt; and her longtime companion, John Averdick.

Susan will be remembered for her intelligence, independence, generosity, and her unmistakable quick wit.