DECONCINI, Susan
Margaret Hurley
Passed away peacefully at age 79 on April 29, 2016. Our beloved matriarch, mother, grandmother, soul mate, sister, and friend was a woman of humble action and powerful faith. Our inspiration, moral compass, and most reliable confidant, she was unwavering in her devotion to those she loved. She has changed our lives and shaped our hearts forever. Born in Phoenix, Arizona August 10, 1936 to Norman and Peggy Hurley, she was a proud graduate of St. Mary's High School and then attended Vanderbilt University. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 1959, where she was the President of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, a lifelong sisterhood which meant the world to her. At the U of A, she met her first husband, Dennis DeConcini, retired United States Senator. Following in the activism of her suffragette grandmother, her life was grounded in faith, volunteer work, charitable fundraising, philanthropic giving and love of family and friends, touching the lives of thousands, both in Arizona and the Washington DC area. Her mother Peggy, a strong and resilient woman, was a guide and inspiration to her. She lived the gospel message of giving without asking the cost. Unrivaled in compassion, she gave freely of her time and energy and was generous in every possible way. She served as an influential leader of and participant in numerous organizations, including the Junior League of Tucson, Tucson American Red Cross, Tucson United Way, Kino Learning Center, St. Joseph's Hospital, Brewster Home, and St. Luke's Board of Visitors, to name a few. Whilst loyally maintaining ties in Arizona, she continued her life of service in the DC area after moving to McLean, Virginia in 1977. A relentless advocate for those in need, she not only supported both the political career of her husband, Dennis, but also earned her Masters in Social Work in 1981 at Catholic University, where she later served on the Board of Trustees. A tireless advocate for children's issues, she was the Co-founder of the US Senate Child Care Center, and led several resource centers for adolescent mental health in Tucson. She worked as a psychotherapist, life insurance agent, and the President of her property management company. She is survived by the love of her life and second father and grandfather to her children and grandchildren, John Adams; her three children and their spouses, Denise (Bob Ramin), Christina (Jim Sweeney), and Patrick (Susy Rotkis); seven grandchildren, Peggy, Danny, Abby, Jacob, Hannah, Tessa and Luke; sister, Norma Hurley Fitzgerald; nieces, nephews; dozens of godchildren; and thousands of friends; all of whom feel her deep love for them. The Memorial Service will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, DC, Friday, May 20, 2016 at 12 o'clock. She has requested that memorial donations be made to the Flight 93 National Memorial Fund (c/o National Park Foundation, P.O Box 96591, Washington, DC 20090-6591, wwwflight93friends.org).