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Jun
05
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Jun
05
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Special Events :: Misc
Susan Hancock's Celebration of Life
1:00 PM (America/Denver)
Missoula Public Library
Susan Hancock's Celebration of Life Description:
Remembering Susan C. Hancock

She left on a journey that required no map, compass, or GPS to reach her ultimate destination on April 8, 2023. She was 72 years old. She is free of all pain and suffering that marked the final thirteen months of her life.

Susan Childs Hancock was born 2 November 1950 to Robert and Frances Childs in San Diego, CA. Raised in nearby La Jolla with two older brothers, Tom and Richard. She lost the loving guidance of her mother as a teen mourning her loss at a critical time in a woman’s life.

She graduated from La Jolla High School (1968) and went on to receive a BA in Social Science/Elementary Education from San Diego State University (1973).

Skilled in bookkeeping, she worked in San Diego at a wrecking yard 1973 – 1977. A much longer employment stint occurred working for the Union-Tribune Publishing Company (1997 - 1994) working as an accounting service representative and later as a Market Research Analyst and Circulation Database Analyst.

In 1986, she met her future husband John and together enjoyed happiness hiking, camping and travel whenever possible. They married in 1989 building a life together. Later it included embracing two foreign exchange students: Julie from France and Sofia from Venezuela in separate years.

The winds of change descended upon her as we made a decision to abandon San Diego to be closer to the mountainous beauty of Missoula, a transition that would take nearly 4 years during which we only saw each other 21 days in 14 months. That occurred in 1994.

She worked for the Missoulian, our local newspaper and various non-profits including United Way of Missoula County, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Choices Bank Program of Life’s End Institute, and later the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
She was passionate as the Project Director for the Choices Bank working toward the creation of a statewide database for advance directives.

Her non-working hours included being a 15-time volunteer for First Night Missoula. As a lover of arts, she volunteered and then seeing countless films at the annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival nearly every year. She enjoyed attending music and passion of University of Montana student jazz and percussion concerts.

Susan served as a co-host to numerous domestic and international travelers that passed through Missoula sharing meals and exchanging life stories promoting world peace.

She was a frequent attendee of both men and women’s Montana Grizzly Basketball.

Additional friendships evolved from her “water lily” friendships that came during swims at Missoula Currents. Her intellectual curiosity was shared among her book club friends.

Her husband, John, Brother Richard Childs, three nephews and their families all outside of Montana survive her.

A celebration of Susan’s Life is scheduled for Monday, June 5, 2023 at 1 PM on the fourth floor of the Missoula Public Library starting at 1 PM. In September, her husband will travel to California to visit many of the people Susan felt were near and dear to her heart including some that viewed her as loving “Aunt Susie.”

Susan helped establish the Hancock Family Charity that contributes to organizations like the Missoula Food Bank and the Tamarack Grief Resources Center Inc.

Susan enjoyed historical fiction and from James Michener’s “Centennial”, we know “only the rocks live forever but Susan loving warmth and compassion cannot be taken from us.

Finally, I wish to extend my profound gratitude to the many nurses and care givers and doctors from St. Patrick Hospital and outside organizations for their generous support to both of us.
Age Group: All Ages
Venue: Missoula Public Library
Address: 455 East Main St., fourth floor Missoula, MT 59802
Phone: (406) 721-2665