Susan was born along with her twin brother, Charles Brush, on February 25, 1940, to the late Jane D. Elliott Brush and Harold Niles Brush in Boston, Massachusetts. Destiny led the family to the water, and they spent nearly as much time afloat as they did afoot. Whether sailing on the Great Lakes, fishing in the Atlantic, jumping in waves with her mom, or watching her brother swim with sea turtles in Florida, Susan developed an everlasting love of the water. No matter how many times she walked the beach or snorkeled above a coral reef, Susan loved to explore.
This passion led to her desire to see more of the world, so after completing her studies at Stephens College in Missouri and Kathryn Gibbs in Boston, Massachusetts, Susan trained as a flight attendant. While her role with TWA didn't quite allow for her to see much of the world at the time, she soon had new adventures—marrying her husband and the birth of their two girls.
While raising her family, Susan continued to pursue other goals. Real Estate license in hand, she adeptly created a rewarding career in which her greatest satisfaction was to guide first-time buyers in selecting an affordable starter home. Another goal led the family to build a house and barn, establishing a quasi-farmstead in Medina, Ohio. Of course, this home was not complete without an ever-growing menagerie of animals, a sprawling garden overflowing with vegetables encompassed by colorful flowers, as well as an open door for friends.
The family was always a top priority for Susan, and she devoted herself as a daughter, wife, mother, sister, and aunt. With news that her eldest daughter and son-in-law were expecting, Susan headed for North Carolina to live nearby. She then committed herself to be the best grandmother possible-- sharing love, joy, and wisdom with her three grandchildren.
Susan was also an outgoing and charismatic woman and loyal friend. She was always eager to spend time with her vast, extended family. These relationships energized her spirit and allowed her to radiate her love back in so many caring ways. Susan's quest to engage with people also led her to explore nearly every continent on Earth and embrace various cultures with an open heart. Her motto remained to "do it all," and she firmly believed that sleep could wait until she returned home. Anyone who had the pleasure of traveling with her will attest that she lived by this mantra.
From an early age, Susan's wish was to help others, and she found several ways to make a meaningful impact. She devoted her time and skills as a volunteer with Meals On Wheels, and spent years leading youth, including her daughters, through 4H. Later, her own mother's work in a local hospital inspired her to volunteer at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh. A natural leader, Susan ultimately served as WakeMed's Volunteer Chair, and she and her dedicated team provided invaluable services to patients and their loved ones. Moved by the Ronald McDonald House Charities' work, Susan helped facilitate RMHC programs at WakeMed. When faced with the challenge to help her church expand its nutritional assistance program, Susan embraced the challenge. She led a team of dedicated volunteers to establish and broaden Feed the Kids, an organization that serves hundreds of families of her community. Feed the Kids was one of her most treasured accomplishments.
Susan is preceded in death by her mother, Jane E. Brush, father, Harold (aka Hap) Brush, and Step-mother, Vivian Brush.
Susan is survived by her daughters, Karen Alvey and Lisa Dove and her husband, Doug; twin brother, Charles Brush and his wife, Paula; and three grandchildren, Samantha, Zachary, and Skylar. Susan is also survived by loving nieces, nephews, and their children.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Nothing would honor Susan's memory more than to know that those she loved will celebrate her life by helping others. In her words, "Bring a smile to another, as that will make my heart smile." In place of flowers, please consider volunteering or donating to Feed the Kids or any charitable cause that speaks to your soul.
Memorials to Feed the Kids may be made at the following address:
AUMC Family - 519 Church
Attention: Feed the Kids
100 South Hughes Street
Apex, NC 27502
• Make the check to AUMC - 519 Church/Feed the Kids program.
• Please ensure that "Feed the Kids/Memory Susan Alvey" is on the memo line of your check.
********************************************************************
“We’re all made of dust; but when I look at someone like Susan and hear stories of her energy and enthusiasm and see the friendship that you all have shared, I’m reminded of what amazing miracles God can do with just a speck of dust. Susan can witness to the fact that God breathes life into us, into our families, into our relationship, and all of a sudden the speck of dust that we were 80 years ago has turned into a beautiful life with children and grandchildren and countless friends and endless stories of joy and laughter. It’s amazing to think what God can do with a speck of dust.”
Rev. Ben Adams
Pastor of First on Chatham
First United Methodist Church Cary
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18