Susan Kathryn Adams

Susan Kathryn Adams, age 74, of Southern Shores, North Carolina, died Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Peak Resources Care Facility in Nags Head, North Carolina. Sue was born in Orange, New Jersey, on August 16, 1951, to Robert E. Van Zee and Mildred H. Van Zee (nee Bedell).  She grew up in Livingston, NJ, with her younger brother Robert B. Van Zee.  As an adult she lived in Franklin and Holmdel, NJ.  After retirement Sue moved to Southern Shores, NC.

Sue attended Boston College and graduated with a degree in French Literature.  She began work around 1980 with Prudential Insurance Company in New York City, NY as an Underwriter, working her way up through the company and retired in 2014 as Vice President of Recruiting and Professional Development.  While living in Holmdel, NJ, Sue was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Middletown, NJ, where she served in many positions including Deacon, Elder, and on various committees.

It was there that she met her husband, Robert D. Adams and his two children, Robert M. and Heather A.  Sue always joked that she hadn’t wanted to date Bob because she was a career woman and he had two little kids.  They were married in December 1996.  Bob passed away in September 2001.  Sue went on to adopt Bobby and Heather, loving and raising them as her own.

Sue was an avid diehard NY Yankee fan from the time she was a child, requesting tickets to double header games at Yankee Stadium for birthday presents.  Sue and Heather traveled to Spring Training in Florida several times, even getting Derek Jeter to sign jerseys for them.  Sue was also a devoted dog lover.  First there was her spitfire Lassa Apso, Benji.  Next came her delightful little Havanese, Tiffany.  And lastly her sweet Beagle mix, Petey.

Sue met Margaret Fahey (Peg) shortly before her retirement and they quickly became very close friends.  These two friends moved to Southern Shores, North Carolina together after retirement and loved the laid-back beach town setting.  They were inseparable, most people thinking that they were sisters, known as “Peggy-Sue”.  Peg passed away in 2022. Susan Adams is survived by her son Robert M. Adams, her daughter Heather A. (Adams) Remines, her brother Robert B. Van Zee, and her godson Robert M. Van Zee.  Petey has been adopted by her friend, Yolanda Contreras. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all of her good friends in the Outer Banks that loved and cared for Sue these past few years, especially in the end.

The family has arranged for Sue to be returned home to New Jersey.  A visitation will be held at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home in Middletown Township, New Jersey Thursday September 4, 2025 from 4 pm to 7 pm. The private burial will be followed by a memorial service Friday September 5, 2025 at 12:30 at Westminster Presbyterian Church 94 Tindall Road in Middletown Township, New Jersey. Please leave a message of comfort for the family at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with local arrangements.