Susan Lombardi, the daughter of legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, passed away on December 30, 2020, at the age of 73. She was the second of the coach’s two children, born in 1947, five years after her brother, Vince Jr. She had three children and four granddaughters.
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A Life Full of Football and Family
Susan Lombardi grew up in a football-loving family, as her father led the Packers to five NFL championships and two Super Bowl titles in the 1960s. She attended St. Joseph Academy in Green Bay, where she made many friends and enjoyed hanging out with the neighborhood kids. She was known for her smile and laugh, which resembled her father’s.
She moved to Florida with her family in 1968, when her father became the head coach and general manager of the Washington Redskins. She lived most of her life in Florida, where she loved the water and boating. She was also very crafty and liked to sew and make things to sell at craft fairs.
She was an avid Packers fan and often returned to Green Bay to attend games and events. She also reconnected with some of the players from her father’s era, who were very supportive of her. She was especially proud of the Lombardi Trophy, which is awarded to the Super Bowl champion every year. She attended Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, where the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A Long Battle with Illness
Susan Lombardi’s health had been in decline in recent years, according to her daughter Maggie Lombardi. She suffered from a prolonged lung ailment, which may have been inherited from her mother, Marie Lombardi, who died of the same condition in 1982. Her father, Vince Lombardi, also died of cancer in 1970, at the age of 57.
Susan Lombardi died in Atlantic Beach, Fla., surrounded by her family. A private memorial service for family is planned. She will be buried alongside her parents in Middletown, N.J.
She is survived by her three children, Maggie, John, and Vince III, and her four granddaughters, Sophia, Olivia, Isabella, and Mia.
A Legacy of Love and Inspiration
Susan Lombardi will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend, who shared her father’s passion for football and life. She inspired many people with her positive attitude and generosity. She was a loyal supporter of the Packers and the Lombardi Foundation, which raises funds for cancer research and education.
She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the Packers community.
