Susan Myrill Dougherty
Susan Myrill Hoos Dougherty, daughter of parents Thelma Bullard and Walter Sellon, passed away peacefully in Lee’s Summit, MO, on July 29 at the age of 79 surrounded by family after a courageous battle with ALS. Susan was a beloved wife, sister, stepmother, step-grandmother, aunt, colleague, and friend. She leaves behind a legacy of service, generosity, and creativity that touched every corner of her community.
Born on January 30, 1946 in Buffalo, N.Y., Susan completed her undergraduate work from The King’s College in NY and earned a Master’s Degree in English and Literature from The College of New Jersey. She devoted her life to the things she loved most: God, family, faithful service, education and the arts. For decades, she inspired countless students as a dedicated high school English teacher at Arthur L. Johnson in Clark, N.J. She instilled not only a love of literature, but also a respect for language and the power of expression through writing and designing yearbooks. Her classroom was a place where ideas came alive, laughter was encouraged, and every student felt seen.
Beyond her teaching career, Susan devoted her time and talents generously to her community. As an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Westfield, she sang joyfully in the choir and poured her energy into countless outreach efforts. A proud Kiwanis Club member, she championed projects that supported youth and strengthened the community. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and other local organizations, sharing her gift for photography to capture both ordinary and extraordinary moments with warmth and artistry. Susan was also recognized as an experienced judge and mentor in local and state Miss America pageants throughout the Northeast, where she inspired and empowered young women to pursue their goals and dreams.
Susan’s passion for the arts extended to her role as a performer in over 30 stage productions, and then later, a theatre reviewer, where her insightful writing celebrated creativity and encouraged audiences to engage with the stage. Her words and images reflected her long-held belief: that meaning and God’s beauty could be found everywhere if one only looked closely enough.
But beyond all these achievements, ‘Aunt Sue’ was a deeply cherished and beloved family member – an adoring aunt whose nieces and nephews knew her as their fiercest supporter, best storyteller, and greatest cheerleader. The void is palpable. Susan is survived by her sisters, Patricia Hubinger (Robert) and Barbara Sellon; brothers, Roger Hoos (Jeanne) and Donald Sellon (Tina); her stepchildren, Kevin Dougherty, Patrick Dougherty, Karyn (Dougherty) Missaggia; stepgrandchildren, including Joseph Missaggia, Kayla Missaggia, Christopher Missaggia, James Dougherty, and great grandson, Jackson; nieces, Deborah Hubert (Rodney), Becky Stambaugh (David), Kimberly O’Neill, Wendy Godfrey (Timmy), and Pollyanna Buff (Kyle); nephews, Todd Hubinger (Victoria) and Brett Hubinger (Lisa); and cousin, Jennifer Gibson. Susan was also loved beyond words by her tribe of great-nieces and great-nephews, and by their children. Susan was preceded in death by her husband, James Dougherty; her sister, Carol Brierley-Grannis and brother-in-law, Lewis Brierley.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18 at 11 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Westfield, 140 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, New Jersey, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to celebrate Susan’s life by showing kindness to someone in need.
Her voice may be silent now, but the song she sang – of unwavering faith, kindness, service, and joy will echo for years to come in those whose lives were enriched by her presence.
