Susan McConaughey

Susan Jo McConaughey, age 62, passed away at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyoming, on March 30, 2013, surrounded by her loved ones after a courageous battle with cancer. Born February 7, 1951, in San Francisco, California, she was adopted at the age of two by Joseph and Dorothy McConaughey. She graduated from San Mateo High School and went on to obtain a degree in nursing from Long Beach City College, California, followed by a Masters of Social Work from Colorado State University in August, 1986. A blind date on December 12, 1992, led to a 20 year relationship with her love and best friend Dr. Keith James. Over the course of their years together Sue utilized her nursing skills to provide exceptional compassionate care to the animals of Keith's practice. She not only acted as Keith's surgical assistant for procedures during regular hours, she also gave of herself at all hours of the night for emergencies. There are no words that can truly express her value not only to Keith's veterinary practice, but to his life. She truly was his best friend, love and inspiration. Sue was a woman of care and compassion and devoted her life to helping others. She began her professional life as an abuse investigator in Larimer County, Co. and Albany County, Wyoming. She went on to establish and work in the Elementary Counseling Program in Natrona County Schools from 1991 to 1998. Sue began her private practice as a Social Worker in 1998 and helped countless people of all ages until the time of her death. In addition to her full time practice as a Social Worker, she devoted a great deal of her time working with the Suicide Task Force and in search and rescue with the Wyoming State Trackers Association. Besides the passion for her work Sue also valued family. In the early 1980's she began the search for her biological family. That resulted in contact with her biological siblings: Donna Hagen, Vicki Benedict, Christine Hagen and James Hagen in 2008. This was a joyful occasion for all and allowed Sue and her siblings the time to get to know one another. Survivors include her love, and life partner Keith E. James, DVM, of Casper; three cousins she grew up with and viewed as siblings: Jim Balkins (Boise, Idaho), Glenn Balkins (Eugene, Oregon), and Chloe Clark (Harare, Zimbabwe), as well as her biological family. Services will be held on Saturday, April 6th, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviours Lutheran Church, 318 E. 6th Street, Casper, Wyoming. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Wyoming State Trackers Association, c/o Terry Browder, 120 S-Bar Rd., Lusk, Wyoming, 82225. Many thanks to the staff of Rocky Mountain Oncology Center and to the 5th Floor Nursing Staff at Wyoming Medical Center for their professionalism, support, and phenomenal care during the time of Sue's illness.

Service

Saturday, April 6, 2013 11:00am

Our Saviours Lutheran Church

318 East 6th Street

Casper, Wyoming 82601