Susan Shafer (Dieckmann) Brynteson

February 18, 1936 - May 26, 2025

Susan Shafer (Dieckmann) Brynteson, age 89 passed away peacefully on Monday, May 26, 2025 in Newark, Delaware. Susan was born February 18, 1936 in Huntington, West Virginia. Susan will be best remembered for her complete adoration of the printed word, from books to magazines to the New York Times. When her family moved to Cincinnati in 1940, she became lifelong friends with the local head librarian after receiving early tips when the new children’s monthly magazine would arrive so she could check it out first. Upon graduation from Western Hills High School, Susan attended the University of Wisconsin majoring in Philosophy, and then earning her MA in Library Science.

Susan worked in the libraries of University of Wisconsin (later receiving Distinguished Alumna Award), San Diego State University, and Skidmore College. Susan subsequently worked at the University of Massachusetts, University of Tennessee, Indiana University, and lastly as the Director of Libraries at the University of Delaware (UD). While at UD she oversaw the acquisition of President Joe Biden’s Senatorial papers and on one occasion briefly met with Apple’s Steven Jobs to discuss how her library was pioneering online catalog databases. After 35 years at UD, she retired in 2015 as Vice Provost and May Morris University Librarian and was appointed May Morris Librarian Emerita upon retirement.

Susan had a soft spot in her heart for Yaddo, a writers and artist community located in Saratoga Springs, New York. Yaddo’s mission for the over 6500 participants who have attended over the years is “to nurture the creative process” by providing an opportunity for them to work without interruption in a supportive environment. Susan returned to Yaddo every summer as both a guest and a volunteer to help organize and catalog Yaddo’s library. She became a Yaddo Director and later was awarded the Special Lifetime Member of the Corporation.

But without a doubt, most dear to Susan was her beloved family. She never had children, yet treated her niece, nephews, and all their children and all their grandchildren as her own. Family gatherings were filled with love and laughter from playing Pounce, assembling jigsaw puzzles, gambling in low stakes poker, competing for one’s favorite flavor ice cream ball, to fiercely trying to out-bingo each other for a five pound Hershey’s chocolate bar grand prize. She never missed a graduation, a wedding, or a family holiday.

She is survived by her sister Betty Dieckmann Dechert (Douglas), nephews Kenneth Dechert, James Dechert (Kimberly), and niece Susan Shafer Cline (Donald) who provided her eight grand as well as eight great-grand nieces and nephews, all of whom she completely adored and vice versa. She was preceded in death by her parents Alpha and Shafer Dieckmann.

Fond memories can be shared at https://rtfoard.com/location/newark-de/. Memorials can be made online to Yaddo at https://yaddo.org.

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Steven Burke

Julie McGee

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Susan hired me into an entry level position in Morris Library in 1999. She hired a lot of us fresh out of library school when other institutions did not. She never questioned my ambition to do more and be more in my career here and supported me moving up the ranks to Librarian and also to leadership positions. Her advocacy for the profession and for service to UD is what I will carry with me always. She could be tough; and you never wanted to be on the receiving end of her wrath if you said or did something she did not like, but she was authentic, a hard worker, and supportive in ways you didn't need to ask for --she used that toughness *for* you.

Susan and I shared that most effective of human abilities in securing a lasting friendship. We made each other laugh. That now is indeed a most grieving loss.
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I share with others my condolences to Susan's family and my praise for her accomplishments. Susan made Morris Library a modern research library that now enjoys a national and indeed international reputation for excellence. Susan was a regular participant in a group called the "Lunch Bunch," which for years met weekly to discuss a number of topics. Susan always brought something of interest to the table; she much enjoyed our lively discussions.

Susan cared deeply about the UD Library and was a catalyst for significant progress in its development. She believed in the importance of the library profession. I appreciated Susan's support and encouragement during my years at the University. Her energy made a difference. You felt it. I always knew when she was back from Yaddo by the quickening pace of library staff and the sudden increase of emails in my inbox. My sincere condolences to Susan's family.

In loving memory of Susan Brynteson. Thank you for making a difference in countless lives.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My deepest condolences to Ken, Betty, Doug, Jim and Sue. Susan — you were a remarkable person. Thank you for being such a strong supporter of the arts and Yaddo especially. You were a silent benefactor and a model of humility. I will always remember the laughter and good times we shared. You were one of the most generous, thoughtful and caring souls I have encountered. Thank you for all the inspiration and the love you shared. You will be sorely missed. Love you.

My sympathies and prayers to Mrs. Dechert, Sue, and the extended family on Aunt Sue's passing. She was a very special lady whose work will be appreciated for many for years to come. May she rest in peace.

My sincere condolences to Susan's family. She was a steadfast advocate for the Library (and for libraries generally), a stalwart supporter of faculty research, and a fierce defender of the First Amendment. In 2013, when the History Department planned a semester-long commemoration for the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, she not only threw the Library's support and resources behind it, but she arranged to have the Library's rare copy of the Proclamation put on display, and she personally attended some events. Hers was a consequential life.

I did not know Susan well, but I appreciated her intelligence and her humanity. She was in the Book Group that I belong to, and I was always glad when she contributed her insights to our book discussions. She will be missed in our community and in our world.

Celebrating your life of dedication and care, Susan.

I got to know Susan well over quite a few years. She was passionate about books and the role of libraries in making knowledge accessible. She was unusual among senior administration figures in her genuine commitment to what universities really exist to do--preserve, grow and spread knowledge. She was also a very nice person.

I always called Susan "The Queen of the UD Library," which made her laugh. But she really was The Queen, and she paid close attention to every single thing in that building, to make sure that all was well in her royal realm. The license plate on her car was "DELCAT." That, too, was appropriate, as wherever she went, she was still thinking of the Library. She was also a great feminist, dedicated to enhancing and supporting research on women and the work of women scholars--a wonderful friend to Women's Studies at UD. We all honor and cherish her memory.

Susan demonstrated strong leadership. We always knew who was in charge with Susan at the helm. She was important in encouraging me to complete my degree at UD and for all, I am grateful to her. DELCAT forever!

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.