Susan Lou O'Reilly

Susan Lou O’Reilly, age 65, died peacefully on October 13, 2014 surrounded by her family at home in Springfield, Virginia after a struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Susan (Sue) was born October 16, 1948 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to Robert L. Knudtson and Annarita H. Lehmann. She was the 4th of 9 children.

A graduate of White Bear High School in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, she joined the Air Force in 1967, shortly after her Mother’s death. She was a medical technician and cared for patients in the Emergency Room. She was on active duty for five years and progressed quickly in rank. She met her husband, Dennis, in 1970 shortly after he arrived at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino, California. Although she outranked him at the time, they started dating. Within three weeks they were engaged. When they married on June 18, 1971 it was the beginning of a happy life together as husband-and-wife. Military policy at the time precluded pregnant females from remaining on active duty. Sue separated from the Air Force in August 1972 as a Staff Sergeant (E-5). After the birth of their first child in October 1972, she settled into the full-time role of Wife and Mother to a family that eventually grew to include four wonderful children. Dennis made the Air Force a career, and the family was able to accompany him on all of his assignments in the United States and Europe, including a six-year stint in Germany, cultivating everlasting memories and friendships.

Susan bucked the system by being a stay-at-home Mom and domestic goddess during the height of the Women’s Lib movement and afterward. She was unashamed of having homemade cookies and milk waiting for the kids when they got home from school, and played a very active role in their upbringing as caring, patriotic, and upstanding citizens. Once her children were in high school, Sue went back to the work force. She spent a few years working at a local dry cleaner before accepting a position as an Administrative Assistant at the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Headquarters in Fairfax Station, Virginia. There, she formed many new friendships with co-workers and management staff, and leaves a legacy in the form of an intricate and detailed filing system which was sorely needed when she arrived.

Politics at all levels were important to Sue, a staunch Conservative. She was always happy to discuss and share her views on current world events or politics on the Hill and in the White House, but would never push her views on anyone. She never let disagreeing views affect her love and respect for anyone.

She had a strong religious faith. A convert from Lutheranism to Catholicism shortly before marriage, she placed her faith in God and routinely prayed for others whom she felt were in need of it, including Liberals and her children, especially in their teenage years.

Susan was an avid reader and artist. Dog-eared novels and art books were a common sight in just about any room of her home. In recent years, a Kindle was her constant companion. In her artwork, she dabbled in pencil, ink, pastel and oil mediums, but in the last few years she focused almost exclusively on watercolor. She soaked up new methods for the creation of her artwork and shared her love of drawing and painting and technique with her children and grandchildren.

Susan was predeceased by her sister Rebecca “Becky” Spinks and brother David.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, Dennis; her children, John (Robin) O’Reilly, Kathleen (Kirk) Madsen, Brendan (Morgan) O’Reilly and Laura McDowell; her grandchildren, Brittany, Lindsey, Levi, Annarita, Lauryn and Lacey; her siblings, Mary (Don) Johnson, Roberta “Berta” (Bob) Jones, Steven “Steve” (Deb) Knudtson, Marcia (Tim) Ross, Mark (Robbin) Knudtson, and Patricia “Pat” (Bob) Pichotta; her brother-in-law Donald “Don” Spinks; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday evening from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, Virginia 22151, with recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 11:00 am at St. Raymond of Peñafort Church, 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, Virginia 22153.

A reception will be held at the family home following the Mass, 7614 Chancellor Way, Springfield, VA 22153. All are welcome to attend.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the ALS Association (http://www.alsa.org/donate/) in her name would be gratefully appreciated.