Susan P. Hower

Susan Parks Hower, 53, of McLean, VA, died peacefully on January 30, 2015, after a courageous, 16-year battle with brain cancer. She is beloved and survived by Mark, her husband of 28 years, her daughters, Kelley and Sandy, her parents, Bill and Mary Jane Parks, her parents-in-law, David and Lorna Hower, her brother, Bill Parks Jr., and her sisters, Nancy Prentice and Mary Lamb, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She was a graduate of The Holton-Arms School and Bucknell University, where she earned a degree in mechanical engineering. She was a four-sport athlete at Holton and played varsity basketball at Bucknell. She worked as a program manager developing robots and unmanned vehicles for the Navy and performing physical security audits of embassies for the State Department. She was a board member of McLean Youth Basketball, an age group coordinator and a basketball coach. She was the referee at swim meets at the Kent Gardens Swim Club as well as an official at NVSL All-Star meets. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She loved music – many people have fond memories of her singing and playing the guitar. She enjoyed gardening and had a passion for outdoor sports, including waterskiing, swimming, tennis, and running. Her presence would brighten any room. She will be remembered for her vivacious spirit, big laugh, keen intelligence, beautiful smile, and joie de vivre. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to any of the following: The National Brain Tumor Society (http://braintumor.org/join-the-fight/ways-to-give/) The Holton-Arms School (http://www.holton-arms.edu/page.cfm?p=55) The American Cancer Society (http://donate.cancer.org) A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 2PM at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 9715 Georgetown Pike in McLean. Please wear something blue. It was her color.