Obituary of Susan G. DeCourley

SUSAN (SUE) DeCOURLEY Susan (Sue) DeCourley, born Susan Gladys Myers on March 12, 1939, in Madison, Wisconsin, died from lung cancer on September 15, 2021. She grew up in Madison, where she went to Lowell Elementary and graduated from East High School in 1957. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. in German in 1962. After which, she moved to Washington, D.C., to work for the National Security Agency (NSA), and met Charles (Chuck) DeCourley, who served in the Navy. They married on August 10, 1963, at Luther Memorial Church in Madison. They honeymooned at the Wisconsin State Fair, after which Chuck received orders for the Philippines. They took a month-long cruise and settled there for two years. In 1965, while Chuck was on ship duty, Susan returned to Madison, where their daughter Rebecca was born. The family moved to Fort Meade, Maryland, followed by Hakata-ku, Fukuoka, Japan in 1969. In 1970, the family moved to San Angelo, Texas. In 1976, they moved to Okinawa for three years. In 1979, after Chuck’s retirement, they moved to Columbia, Missouri, where Susan worked at the University of Missouri. She retired from the Medical School accounting office after 21 years at the University. Growing up, Susan would sit in the attic and listen to music, collecting the lyrics on index cards; she continued this love of music throughout her life. As a girl, Susan was active in Girl Scouts, and served as troop leader for Rebecca. Susan was active in Masonic organizations: a Majority Rainbow Girl, Grand Cross of Color, and Order of Eastern Star (OES). After retirement, Sue and Chuck bought a farm in Hallsville, Missouri. After Chuck’s death, Sue moved into a house across from her daughter in Columbia. Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; one daughter, Beth Marie; and her parents, Chester and Gladys. She is survived by her sister Sally; her daughter, Rebecca; and two grandchildren, John Charles and Miranda. She was and is loved and will be missed. Memorial services will be 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the Oliver Funeral Home in Centralia, MO. A graveside service will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO. In lieu of flowers, make memorial donations payable to the “American Cancer Society” or “Relay for Life” and mail to Central Bank of Boone County, ATTN: Angie Gentry (Relay for Life), PO Box 678, Columbia MO 65205-0678. Questions regarding donations can be directed to Joy Shawley, 573-310-1587; joy.shawley@cancer.org. Condolences may also be made to the family at www.oliverfuneralhome.net