Sue would be proud......

Wow! What a day Saturday was……

I know Sue is very proud to see how everyone came together to pull off something extra special. The fact that she was not able to have her celebration service while she was alive, Joel and West Valley did not disappoint. My wife Kathy mentioned that even after 3.5+ hours of the service, (planned for 2hrs) no one wanted it to end. The amount of love shown for one person and the impact Sue had on so many lives sure makes a brother proud to say “yes, I am Sue’s brother”. Thank you to everyone who attended and for those that could not attend, your thoughts and presence were still felt by all of us.

Many thanks go out to so many who made this service amazing. (so much love in one room) I hesitate to call any one person out since I would hate to leave off any of you.

As for the blog, I do plan to continue to write periodically in order to keep people updated on the family or something related back to Susan. I plan to take all of the past blog updates and create a book for my parents as a memory maker. If anyone is interested in purchasing their own version, I will place an order process through Publishers.com for anyone interested in a copy. I did this for my best friend Mike Dougherty so he could have this memory maker for his daughter when she is old enough to see what her father went through fighting this dreaded disease.

There are two special updates I would like to share with all of you. The first is when Joel finished the service announcing what Sue had wanted him to share with everyone. Sue had stated that if her message touched one person who would give their lives over to Christ, that she would be willing to die for this life change. Saturday after the service, Joel was approached by a person who mentioned to him that the person they were with desired to have Christ accepted into her life. With tears in Joel’s eyes, he witnessed exactly what Sue desired and found himself smiling into the sky as Sue smiled back.

The second update happened to me following the service. As most everyone had departed the church, I turned around to see little Elizabeth Moxley standing right behind me with her mom and both speechless staring at me. She asked if I remembered her and I soon realized that this was little Elizabeth I met in Sue’s class, but more importantly, recognized her for the quilt her mother and her had made Susan to use while having cancer treatments. I thanked her from the bottom of my heart for what she did for Susan and before I could say how much Susan loved her, we caught each other’s eyes and I became speechless as a flow of tears fell down my cheeks. We stared at each other for over 10 seconds and my heart beating fast and furious, I could not get out the words. We spoke through our eyes saying we are both very sad and hurt to know that someone so influential in our lives is no longer physically here. Elizabeth, if you are reading this note, know that each day will slowly get better and the wound in your heart is deep, but does heal over time. If you can smile a lot, think happy thoughts and thank God for putting Sue in your 12 years of life on earth, then the wound heals much faster than being bitter and upset about her departure to heaven. Thank you for having the heart the size of Oregon and do know my sister Susan loved you so very much. Now go be mighty Elizabeth and live your life as Sue did.

Finally, I would like to share with you a letter written by my best friend Mike Dougherty who has been battling lung cancer for 5 yrs now and was instrumental in mentoring Sue and setting up time (free of charge) with his doctors at UCSF to review Sue’s case and provide any insight to their findings. In fact, it was on this trip to UCSF that one of the key doctors asked if Sue had ever had her home checked for radon? The rest is history.

Mike means the world to me and thought it was best to have this published in Sue’s blog for everyone to see.

Dear Sue,
I wanted to send you a message on your special day in the hopes that I could shine some light onto how much your struggle touched me as a fellow cancer survivor. As you were fighting I so wished that I could come up with some magic words, or some miracle, something that would just make it all go away, and take you back to where you were before this whole odyssey started. I often think about that.
I also wanted you to know, that I know, how hard you fought to spend another beautiful day with all of your friends and family. To endure the chemo treatments and the highs and lows of all of the testing, scanning, waiting, thinking, poking, prodding, laughing, and crying. In a word, call it torture. You handled it all with such grace. The inspiration that I was able to draw from you has given me the strength to continue to keep fighting, living, and loving. That’s what you did each and every day. Thank you my dear.
And finally Sue, you and I will forever share a special gift. Somebody once told us both that they would take our cancer in their own body if they could. Nobody says that and actually means it right? Not true. I can think of only one, and I think he is reading this letter to you right now. He’s your brother and my best friend. Thank you for your life, and inspiring me to fight for every beautiful day I have left on this Earth.

Love,
Mike Dougherty

In parting, I want to reach out to my older brother Mike, sisters Stacy & Tara and let you know there are big shoes to fill now that Sue is in Heaven. My cell phone bill has decreased 50% over the past 2 months and I want to want to fill that air time with you on it. :-)

Love to all and remember, Go Be Mighty and make Sue proud.

Matt

Updates for Sue's celebration service

Hi everyone,
We are finalizing the plans for Sue's celebration service and would like to communicate that we have a great hotel rate at the Marriott Courtyard Beaverton which is less than 10 minutes from Southwest Bible Church where the service will be held. Rate: $69.00 per night from Friday-Sunday (checking out Monday).

Marriott Courtyard Beaverton
8500 SW Nimbus Ave.
Beaverton, OR 97008
503-641-3200

See you on the 24th at 1pm.

Dress code: Cheerful colors

Preparing for Sue's Celebration Service

Hi everyone,
We are asking for help in preparing for Sue's celebration service.

What do we need?
1. Digital pictures with Sue in the picture (jpeg files preferred)
2. Quotes we can use in the video that answer this question: What Sue meant to you (Please keep it to 10 words or less so we can fit it in the video)

Please forward the digital pictures and your response to what Sue meant to you to:

Kelli1015@yahoo.com

Thank you,
Matt

Happy Birthday Sue: March 19th, 2010

My favorite day of the year is March 19th. The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, the baseball teams are in spring training, the yard starts to bloom and of course, it is Sue's birthday. Hug a family member or someone you love and inspire them with three simple words. Go be mighty! This will make Sue smile. :-)

Sue's Celebration Services are set
Date: Saturday April 24th at 1:00p.m.
Southwest Bible Church
14605 Southwest Weir Road
Beaverton, OR 97007-6164
(503) 524-7000

Dress: Casual wear, but colorful. No dark depressing colors are allowed.

Any questions please contact Matt McCormick at 818-640-2436 or Joel Mason at 503-332-3402

It will be something special for the person who inspired so many of us.

A New Chapter Begins

Saturday at 4:37p.m., you might have felt an earthquake that shook the entire earth. The epicenter was Heaven and it was caused by the celebration thrown welcoming Susan Lynne McCormick. The entire family was together last week as we said our good-byes and spent time telling her what an incredible impact she has had on our lives as well as so many others. Many local family & friends were able to stop by the hospice and share special times.

A special thanks to the Hopewell House for their kind hospitality and service. You made tough times less stressful. To Good Samaritan ICU & CCU. Your willingness to allow many more over the required visitors (from out of town) experienced quality time with Susan. Finally, Susan's wonderful staff of doctors. She chose to stay under the best care and believed it existed under each of you. Dr. Karamlou, your open honest feedback allowed Susan the brutal facts, but gave her peace of mind knowing exactly where things stood. She dealt with open honest feedback much better (good or bad).

Below is the obituary we just submitted to the Oregonian (publishes Wednesday), Tigard Times (publishes Thursday) and the Los Altos Town Crier (publishes Thursday). Thank you all for your kind words of support. We plan to have the celebration service for Susan on either April 16th/17th or 23rd/24th and will post on the blog within the week. Service will most likely take place at West Valley Community Church in Hillsboro. (Her home church)


Portland-Oregon
Susan Lynne McCormick, whose love of children motivated her to change careers at age 37 and become a sixth grade teacher in Tigard, OR, ended a long battle with lung, pancreatic and liver cancer on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Portland Hopewell House Hospice. She was 52 years young.

The eldest of four siblings and daughter of Mike & Carolyn McCormick, Susan was a devote Christian and very involved in her church (West Valley Community Church in Hillsboro Oregon). She held the role of treasurer for many years and played key roles in West Valley's "Crew" productions. Susan lived a life of authenticity having been transformed through her relationship with Jesus. Because of that authentic transformed life Susan made a major impact in the lives of so many that knew her. She led by example and communicated her love of Christ to anyone who found interest and listened.

After 15 years of working in the mortgage banking industry, Susan's love for children motivated her to begin a new chapter at age 37 when she completed her bachelor and master's degree in education from Portland State in 2000 and began teaching 6th grade at Fowler middle school in Tigard, Oregon. Her passion was educating children and was well known for going out of her way to help any child who had missed a meal or needed a hug.

Susan viewed teaching children as a 24 hr. responsibility and many Fowler alumni would come back and see Ms. McCormick on a regular basis. She spearheaded the spelling bee contest for Fowler middle school and even participated herself in the 50+ AARP national spelling bee contest in Cheyenne, Wyoming during the summer of 2008. Susan also spent summers as a driver's ed instructor and enjoyed the additional time with the kids.

Born in Alhambra California, Susan lived in Manhattan New York while her father pitched for the New York Giants. After moving west at the end of the 1958 season, Susan grew up in San Mateo California and moved to Mtn.View California in 1966. Susan attended Cooper and Huff Elementary schools, Graham Jr. High and graduated from Awalt High School in 1974. Susan graduated from De Anza College with an A.A. and pursued law enforcement with the Palo Alto police department, but an injury forced Susan to pursue another career which led her into the banking and mortgage industry in the 80's and early 90's before making a career change and pursuing her passion of educating children.

Susan never gave up hope when diagnosed in 2008 with lung and pancreatic cancer, a concept taught by her father, with cancer throughout her body, she was determined to fight it with every ounce of energy. It took almost 18 months from the time she was diagnosed to when she passed away for this dreaded disease to take hold. Her 53rd birthday is March 19th and she did her absolute best to make it to that day.

She leaves behind her beloved Corbett (11 yr old black lab) and a family that adored her. Father Mike, mother Carolyn, step mother Dierdre, sisters Stacy and Tara, brothers Mike Jr. and Matt, sister in-laws: Judith and Kathy, brother in-law: Michael Moeller, nephews: Michael III & Ryan, nieces Kelli, Madison, Mallory and Meghan.

Services for Susan McCormick will occur at West Valley Community Church in Hillsboro, Oregon at a determined date in April, 2010. Susan elected to be cremated at Rose City.

Thank you Susan for giving us all 52 wonderful years of happy memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

West Valley Community Church 5215 NE Elam Young Parkway Hillsboro, OR 97124 c/o Susan L McCormick
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Update on Sue: Transferred to the Hopewell House Hospice in Portland

Anyone that knows my sister, understands that she enjoys being a stage director. She took on this role as the eldest sister and here we are 52 years later, she continues to lead from the bedside as we follow her script.

We transferred Susan to the Portland Legacy Hopewell House Hospice on Monday. It is a beautiful home (3.5 acres) built in 1926 and was donated by the family in 1984. There are 14 bedroom suites and Susan is being cared for and lying comfortably. The setting is perfect: quiet and relaxing. The nurses are incredible here and are taking good care of Sue.

Legacy Hopewell House
6171 Southwest Capitol Highway
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 244-7890

Earlier in the week, she was sleeping all day and opening her eyes for a few minutes communicating with us and then falling back asleep. Her current state (as of yesterday)was much more alert and opened the morning with "dad, can I have a hug". She has been able to swallow oatmeal and pears the past two days and you can see the effect in her energy. She is still sleeping 95%+ each day, but continues to amaze us with her resiliency to live.

Vital signs: Her heart rate was up to 114 last night which is common for rising heart rates as it works harder to stay alive. The nurses describe a person in this condition as running a marathon due to the energy it takes to stay with us. Her breathing continues to become slower and slower with long pauses between each breath. (Another common sign)

Sue continues to find ways to be funny by responding to certain questions with a satirical approach in her answers. For example; my mother has been "sponge moistening" the inside of her mouth and lips to ensure no cracking and when asked if she would like some water from the sponge, (with her eyes closed), Sue whispers "well, yeah".

The Mason & Hockensmith families (our incredible cousins) have been taking great care of us. Stopping by throughout the day, bringing baskets of treats and hosting dinners. Thank you and know this is how Sue wanted it scripted. We love you guys.

Finally, I would like to share with you another part of the script that Sue directed when we were in Good Samaritan ICU last week.

Setting: Good Samaritan ICU room #24
Lead Actor: Susan
Supporting actor: Aaron
Cast: 25+ McCormicks, Masons, Hockensnmiths and Sue's dearest friends
Note: Only 4 people allowed in the ICU, yet lead nurse stated he only saw 4 of us. :-)

Aaron is the worship leader at West Valley Community Church in Hillsborough (cousin Joel is the lead Pastor). He played his guitar and lead us in a powerful way that evening. Sue lied in bed with a slight smile (while her eyes were closed) and knew God was in total control. The room was centered on the lead actress as music filled the ICU. Room #23 asked to open their sliding glass door so they could listen in to this powerful music & praise.

There was not a dry eye in the room when it ended that evening, but I do know that everyone present left with much more than what they came with. The stage director wanted it that way. I look forward to seeing Sue this morning and it wouldn't surprise me if she had the TV on wearing her Giants jersey and asking what we have planned for the day. I look forward to seeing the next act. My sister the stage director always makes life more interesting. Love her.

Matt

"Go be Mighty Sue"

There was an expression Sue would always say to me (after we had talked through the days challenges or thanked God for his blessings). The phrase would always end with "Go be mighty Matt" and it gave me the assurance to move forward and use my gifts to the best of my abilities. It also built my confidence that I could accomplish anything I set my sights to and this phrase also provided comfort in that I had the confidence from someone I held so high in life's status. It is no different than a coach inspiring his/her players to reach beyond their capabilities. Isn't it amazing what four simple words can do for someone.

The past 4 days, Sue has been in the ICU & CCU. The surgery on Wednesday did not go as planned. The doctors opened her up to find the cancer was worse than expected and is now moving fast. They were unable to fully reach the right lung and decided to close her back up and discuss next steps with family. Everyone flew in to Portland and decided to follow the exact instructions Sue had communicated many times based on this possible scenario. The doctors are keeping her pain free and the family has been at her side all week.

I cannot describe in words, how special this time is with Susan even though everyone in the room would do ANYTHING to extract the cancer from her body. There was a special moment last night when my mother Carolynn was holding Sue's left hand and I was holding her right hand. We both realized (as we watched Sue sleep like a baby), that Sue's work is done here on earth. What she has accomplished in her 52 years is more than anyone I know. The amount of memories generated by one person is "mind blowing".

We will continue to keep you posted on her status, but as of Sunday morning, she is resting and taking slow steps towards heaven.

"Go be mighty Sue"

Love,
Matt