Susan G. Hetherington

Susan Gay Hetherington, born on April 30, 1945, in Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully from natural causes on July 10, 2026, in Overland Park, Kansas, surrounded by her family. She was 81 years old.

Susan grew up in Topeka, KS and attended Topeka High School, where she was involved in theater and was on the Drill Team. During her childhood, she enjoyed spending her summer breaks at her family’s farm in Wakarusa, KS, where her grandparents lived. She worked at Blaylock Drug Store during high school as well.

She graduated in 1963. Following high school, she attended the National School of Aeronautics and then worked for North Central Airlines as a ticket agent and reservationist in Battle Creek, MI. She then moved to the Kansas City area, where she met John. His job at Xerox moved them to Lisle, IL for a short time. Then, they returned back to the KC area (Lenexa, KS) for the rest of her life. She made a living doing what she learned from her grandmother on the farm (sewing and dress-making). Because of her love of writing, she also spent a few years as the editor of the DeSoto News and The Johnson County Legal Record.

Susan devoted her life to her family, her community, and her passions. As a self-employed seamstress and dressmaker, she poured her creativity and craftsmanship into every garment she made, leaving behind a legacy of artistic dedication and love for the craft. Her talent for sewing was surpassed only by her love for her family and her commitment to nurturing their growth and happiness. Many of her strong friendships in her life started as her customers.

Her interests were as diverse as they were heartfelt. She found joy in gardening and caring for her feathered friends, sharing a special fondness for Monarch butterflies, hummingbirds and purple martins. A lover of genealogy and history, Susan spent countless hours exploring her roots and preserving her family's stories. Her musical tastes included the harmonious melodies of The Mamas and The Papas, the vibrant tunes of ABBA (especially Dancing Queen), Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Simon & Garfunkel, and the timeless voice of Neil Diamond. She found great joy in listening and watching her grandchildren, Aubryn and Tesreau, sing and perform. Susan enjoyed playing the piano, and teaching her grandkids how to play as well. She was an ardent supporter of The Kansas City Royals and The Kansas Jayhawks, cheering them on with unwavering enthusiasm. In addition, Susan loved to travel domestically and internationally, often stopping at the historical markers along the way (much to her family’s dismay). Susan and John opened their home to 2 foreign exchange students when their children were in high school. Susan planned every detail of their time with them so that they could have a true American experience. Francoise (from France), and Ingo (from Germany) both remain very close to the family, especially to Susan.

Susan was an active and cherished member of her community. She enjoyed giving to the Wounded Warrior Project and volunteered for both the Lenexa Police Department and the Olathe Public Schools. Her involvement in a Bible Study led by Missionary and friend, Jay Soper, and the Kansas Genealogical Society enriched both her life and the lives of those around her. As a former member of the Lenexa Historical Society, Susan contributed to preserving the vibrant history of her beloved community. She enjoyed attending the Lenexa Spinach Festival, as well as the Lenexa Fourth of July Parades when her children were in elementary school.

Holidays and traditions were very important to Susan, including her two favorites - Christmas and the Fourth of July. She was a true patriot and was so looking forward to celebrating America’s 250th Semiquincentennial Anniversary by designing and decorating a float, and sewing costumes for the parade in her community at the Lake of the Ozarks. Though she was unable to celebrate at the Lake, her family brought the celebration to her hospital room and wore the costumes she had made, and decorated her room with red, white, and blue.

Her commitment to youth and education was evident through her roles as a Girl Scout Leader, Brownie Leader, and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City Softball League Leader and Coach. She was a devoted Room Mom for all her children at Bonjour Elementary School, and served as a Block Mother, ensuring the safety and happiness of neighborhood children, who she adored. Recently, she took an interest in conserving and protecting Monarch butterfly habitats. In appreciation, she received the Monarch Conservation Certificate of Appreciation in 2025, with her granddaughter, Mia Hetherington.

Susan was preceded in death by her father, Garrett Jean DeBaun; her mother, Charlotte Mae DeBaun; and her brother, William Jean DeBaun. She leaves behind a loving family, including her husband, John Thomas Hetherington; her sister, Sally Dame Roller; and her children, Leah Tremaine (Mark), Michelle Cormack (Patrick), Aaron Hetherington (Crissy), and Paula Bowers (Aubrey Guezuraga). She was a proud grandmother to Sydney Tremaine, Audrey Bambach (Thomas), Garrett Tremaine (Taylor Wenger), Bailey Clancy (Rick), Hollie Ball (Noah), Tesreau Hetherington, Aubryn Bowers (Jackson O'Toole), Braylon Bowers, and Mia Hetherington, and a cherished great-grandmother to Quinn Starling Clancy and Calvin Roy Bambach. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends, cousins, and her beloved dog, Rocky.

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Amos Family Funeral Home, located at 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203. A service celebrating Susan's life will follow at 11:00 a.m., with interment directly thereafter at Lenexa Cemetery.

In remembering Susan Hetherington, we celebrate a selfless life filled with love, service, and an enduring commitment to family and community. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a faithful supporter of every activity her grandchildren were involved in, she cared deeply about every detail of her children's and grandchildren's lives. She enjoyed lunches with her friends, going to the New Theater Restaurant and spending time at their lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks. She was a lover of history, museums, Diet Pepsi, Cheese & Cracker Sticks, Frosted Flakes, Butter Rums hard candy, and Butterscotch pudding.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donating (In Susan's name) to the COPD Foundation or the American Gastroenterological Association.