Susan Kay Khoury

Susan Kay Khoury, 74, of Iron Mountain passed away Monday, March 30, 2020. She was born October 4, 1945 to Harry Khoury and Mary (Perla) Khoury in Iron Mountain, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents Samuel and Susan Khoury and Lucille and Nicholas Perla. Susan is survived by her two sisters Sandy Khoury (San Jose, CA) and Bonnie Khoury (Detroit, MI), two daughters Laila Raether (Mesa, AZ), and Ruth Ann Bennett (Nashville, TN) and two granddaughters Haley & Hannah Raether (Mesa, AZ). Susan graduated from Iron Mountain High School in 1963 and remained a Mountaineer for life. She stayed in touch with many of the dear friends from her formative years. Susan was very involved in the Class of ’63 and their ongoing gatherings, reunions and events. She loved to host a dinner or throw a party and enjoyed entertaining. While looking through memories in photographs it is apparent this was something she learned to do with her friends from childhood. Susan studied nursing and graduated from the Michael Reese Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, IL. She moved back to the Upper Peninsula and worked for the Dickinson County Memorial Hospital system for many years. Susan started as a registered OB/GYN nurse and would often tell her daughters just which of their friends she helped to deliver. After getting her Master of Nursing Sciences from Northern Michigan University in 1987, Susan then moved on to nursing administration. She was instrumental in opening the Ambulatory Care Unit at DCH and then went on to help open Pain Diagnostics and other clinics in the area. Susan won several awards in her career including Outstanding Nurse Administrator Award from the Michigan Nurses Association in 1991, Lifetime Achievement Award from Joint Commission Accreditation Niagara Health Center in 2010. Susan was not only an ambitious healthcare professional but an active community member. She served as a member of the Dickinson County Library Board for 24 years, was one of the 100 Women Who Care, a proud member of the local Democratic Party and a constant supporter of local arts and artists. Susan loved to volunteer or attend some of her favorite local events like the Iron Mountain Music Festival, Iron Mountain Art for All, Full Moon Concert Series, Italian Fest, the farmers market…Not to mention the more intimate groups like the Drawing Room Club, the book club, the Thursday morning “Moose” coffee klatch, and the Saturday night dinner and a movie gang. She stayed busy and connected. Susan supported her family and all of their paths. She was a woman who loved to travel to visit her family and for adventure. She enjoyed going to the desert shops of Arizona, the boardwalks of California, to cousin’s and family homes in Houston and Detroit. As a proud Arab American and founding member of the Arab American Museum in Detroit, MI, Susan also enjoyed traveling to the Middle East. A majority of the books, paintings, fabrics and figures she had collected from her world travels were on display in her home. Susan enjoyed reading, music, art, fine jewelry, fashion and beautiful works of creative expression. Susan was never one to shy away from a good time and doing things in an appropriate manner. It is in this spirit that her daughters, Ruth Ann and Laila, have decided to wait to have a proper memorial for their mother once the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. They feel it would only be appropriate to have an event where any of her family, friends, colleagues, club members, fellow music lovers and genuine good-time enthusiasts could gather together to hug, cry, laugh, tell stories and share the best parts of Susan that will live on forever. The family is also working on plans for donations in lieu of flowers or gifts. You can stay informed of donation and memorial plans as well as pay tribute to Susan at her Facebook page or at https://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Susan-Khoury/

Susan Kay Khoury

October 4, 1945 - March 30, 2020