Dr. Suzanne (Broomell) Irujo

Dr. Suzanne “Sue” Irujo, 86, formerly of New Hampshire and Minocqua, died August 21, 2024 in Marlborough, Mass.

Suzanne Sprague Broomell was born July 30, 1938, in Evanston, Ill., the daughter of Helen Sprague Broomell and John “Jack” Broomell. The family moved to Minocqua about 10 years later to take over operation of Camp Minocqua for Boys on Tomahawk Lake, founded in 1905 by Sue’s grandfather, Dr. John P. Sprague. 

Sue graduated from Minocqua High School in 1956, then studied at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind., and in Madrid, Spain, where she met and married Javier Irujo. The couple had three sons who survive her. When that marriage ended, Sue resumed her studies at UMass Lowell, and she received her Ph.D. in Applied Psycholinguistics from Boston University. She taught Spanish and English as a second language at various educational levels and international locations and became a professor of linguistics at Brown University and Boston University, specializing in English language learning.

Sue’s beloved husband of 39 years, Peter E. Barck, survives her. The couple retired to their hand-built home in the New Hampshire mountains where she tended her gardens and loved hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and hosting large family get-togethers. Summers were spent on Senior Island on Tomahawk Lake where swimming, canoeing, and gatherings with family and friends on the island often found her playing the guitar, singing, and enjoying musical evenings.

Survivors include her husband, Peter E. Barck, and her three sons: Antonio “Tony” (Christine) Irujo of Westfield, Mass., Manuel “Manu” (Diane Hunter) Irujo of New Bedford, Mass., and Daniel “Dano” Irujo of Alexandria, N.H. Also surviving are Peter’s daughter Maribeth (Mark) Beauchamp, and five sons: Peter D. (Mona) Barck, Paul (Alicia) Barck, John (Nancy) Barck, Stephen Barck, and Tim (Megan) Barck, plus 13 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Sue’s five siblings: Dare (Mary) Broomell, Ken (Nancy) Broomell, and Ann (Carl Kelly) Broomell, all of Minocqua, Ron Holiday Broomell of Rhinelander, and Jennie (Chip) Gibson of Indianapolis, plus many nieces, nephews, and extended-family members.

Following cremation, private services will be held at later dates in Massachusetts and Minocqua.