Susan T. King passed from this life on Sunday, June 18, 2023; one day after celebrating her 64th wedding anniversary with her beloved Fred.  Hers was a life filled with family, faith, love, laughter, curiosity, adventures and possibilities.

Susan was the eldest child of Harvey and Jeanne Tschirgi, born in 1937 in Shanghai China where her father was stationed with US Marine Corps.  Growing up in a military family, she lived in many places including Iowa, North Carolina, Virginia, and California.  She graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA where she met the love of her life Frederick M. King after she tripped over his feet (or she kicked his feet - there's still some debate) as she was taking her seat in a shared class their freshman year.  After graduation, Susan and Fred met in St. Louis, MO where they eloped to get married.  They headed to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX so Fred could begin pre-flight training for the US Air Force.  Their daughters, Karen & Kathy were born while they were stationed in Spokane, WA.  Susan would say her favorite career was a "stay at home" mom but she didn't stay at home.  There was always something to do to help her girls, to help her neighbors and to help her community.  She was also a kindergarten teacher in Mountain Home, ID, while Fred was deployed to Vietnam for the fourth time.  She worked in a school cafeteria in Northern Virginia for years making sure children were fed nutritious and tasty meals with a ready smile and listening ears if needed.  She concluded her working career as a customer service representative for Pentagon Federal Credit Union where she worried about her customers making smart financial choices.

Besides having an encyclopedic knowledge of Hollywood trivia, being a voracious reader of newspapers and novels, Susan loved being with her family.  She was always ready for whatever plans her family made, from travels, to attending plays and musical events, visiting museums and most importantly attending any activity in which a granddaughter participated.

When it came time to truly retire, two sets of granddaughters narrowed the options to Hampton and Minneapolis. The southern Virginia weather beat out Minnesota's.  However, that did not mean there weren't multiple trips to Minneapolis - because things needed to be fair.  Each granddaughter needed her Grammy time, and she needed time with her girls.

While in Hampton, she became a member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.  There she found another outlet for her love and compassion; becoming a member of the Altar Guild, the Kaiser Reese Circle, Vestry, Counters, Book Club, Bereavement Committee, and the Night's Welcome Breakfast Crew.  She spent her life showing her daughters, sons-in-law, and granddaughters that people are endlessly fascinating and that we all have so much in common if we take the time to ask folks about themselves; as many grocery line, sporting event, waiting room conversations will attest.  Who knows, there may be a way we can all be of help to others if we follow Susan's example.

Finally, when her body became too limited for her soul, she returned home to God where she can love, laugh, and share to her fullest.  In God's good time, she is waiting for her beloved and often bemused husband Fred, her favorite eldest daughter Karen Harrington and her favorite youngest daughter Kathy Martin; her favorite naval/teacher son-in-law Keith Harrington and her favorite lawyer son-in-law George Martin; her favorite eldest granddaughter Grace Harrington; her favorite Hong Kong born granddaughter Taylor Martin; her favorite Virginia born granddaughter Olivia Harrington; her favorite youngest granddaughter Sophia Martin; and her precious pup Carlotta.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at 11 am at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 179 E. Mercury Blvd, Hampton, VA 23669.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution to Emmanuel Episcopal Church or to a charity of your choice is a beautiful way to remember and honor Susan.