Susan Menard

Susan Menard (died c. September 2022) was an American politician who served as the 31st mayor of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, from 1995 to 2009.^[1] She was the first female mayor and longest serving mayor in Woonsocket history.^[2]

Susan Menard
31st Mayor of Woonsocket
In office 1995–2009
Preceded by	Francis L. Lanctot
Succeeded by	Leo T. Fontaine
Personal details
Born	c. 1948 Woonsocket, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died	c. September 2022 (aged 74) Woonsocket, Rhode Island, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Domestic partner	Daniel Grabowski
Children	2
Website	Government website

Career

Menard first was elected to the Woonsocket School Committee in 1981. She was later elected to the Woonsocket City Council and became its first female president.^[3] She was urged into politics by Douglas Brown, a former member of the School Committee.^[4] Menard was elected as mayor of Woonsocket in 1995, beating opponent Vincent Ward. She served until 2009, making her the longest serving mayor in the city's history. She is one of only four female mayors ever elected in Rhode Island.

Personal life and death

On April 14, 2009, the same year she left office, Menard's daughter Carrie Pilavin died aged 31.^[5] On September 17, 2022, Menard's older brother Robert Miller died, aged 81. She was listed as alive in his obituary.^[6]

Menard had a long-term relationship with Daniel Grabowski. On September 20, 2022, both of their bodies were found in Menard's home. Menard is survived by her sister Marilyn and grandchildren Jacob, Nathan, Madison and Colin.^[7] Autopsy reports revealed that Menard had died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Grabowski of type-2 diabetes.^[8]

References

1. "History of Mayors | City of Woonsocket RI". www.woonsocketri.org. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
2. "Second decomposed body found in former Rhode Island mayor's house identified". NBC News. 23 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
3. "Police identify seven-term mayor Susan Menard as one of two bodies found in home". The Focus. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
4. "Remembering Susan Menard, Woonsocket's trailblazing, take-charge mayor - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
5. "Carrie M. Pilavin Obituary (2009) Boston Globe". Legacy.com.
6. "The Providence Journal Obituaries in Providence, RI | the Providence Journal".
7. "Second decomposed body found in former Rhode Island mayor's house identified". NBC News. 23 September 2022.
8. "Remains discovered in Rhode Island home confirmed to be former Woonsocket mayor". USA Today.