Old Lyme - Susan Leslie Champine, 60, of Old Lyme, passed away peacefully on Nov. 19, 2016, after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of Raymond Champine for 32 years, and beloved mother of two daughters, Dr. Robey Champine and Sara Champine.Susan was born on May 29, 1956, in Brookline, Mass., to Carole Powers, who precedes her. She graduated from Brookline High School and completed her college degree after her daughters were in elementary school. Despite recently losing her own mother to cancer and caring full-time for her family, Susan excelled in her studies at Connecticut College. She completed her bachelor's degree in English, earning summa cum laude honors and early election to Phi Beta Kappa. She was also named a Winthrop Scholar, the highest academic honor bestowed by the college. Shortly after completing her degree, Susan was first diagnosed with, and underwent extensive treatment for, breast cancer. However, she committed to doing all that she could to fight this disease while also working full-time. Thus, to all who knew her, and to her daughters especially, Susan exemplified unparalleled strength, bravery, resilience, and optimism.Throughout her life, Susan enjoyed reading, art and music, exercise, being by the ocean, and traveling. She was also a masterful cook and champion Scrabble player and crossword puzzle solver. Of note, she was passionate about teaching and integrating technology into learning tools and curricula. She earned her master's in educational technology from the University of Hartford in 2010, and earned professional development certificates in copyediting and project management from the University of Maryland College Park in 2009. She worked in various academic settings, including Connecticut College, the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts, and Three Rivers Community College. For 12 years, she worked at the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium in Newington. At the time of her passing, she was assistant to the executive director and Online Programs Administrator. She enjoyed collaborating with public and private higher educational institutions, K-12 school districts, and various other clientele to deliver online courses, tutoring, and other educational services.In short, Susan was a person of many strengths and talents, who focused on being kind to others and enjoying life. She remained hopeful and strong-willed, even in the face of incredible challenges. In 2015, she was diagnosed with a rare cancer that proved impossible to beat after numerous procedures and treatments. Many of her doctors and nurses stated that Susan was the strongest patient whom they ever encountered.In addition to her devoted husband and daughters, Susan is survived by her loving brother, Tony Novicki, and nephew, Ryan Novicki, of Martha's Vineyard, Mass. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Gloria Champine of Fairfield, Maine and her uncle, Jim Butts, of Amesbury, Mass. In addition, she is survived by numerous loving cousins, extended family, colleagues, and friends.A memorial service and reception will take place beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Susan's memory be made to Yale Smilow Cancer Hospital.