Susan Kay Poynter

Susan Kay Poynter, 58, passed away peacefully May 14, 2023 in hospice care at Union Hospital in Terre Haute, Indiana.  She is survived by her husband Kevin and son Evan, of Terre Haute.  Also survived by her brother Bradley, and by Nees family cousins out of the area.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her father Larry for whom she was tirelessly caring, passing earlier this year.

Susan held a teaching degree in Elementary Education.  She studied at DePauw, and completed her study at Indiana State University.  She taught in Florida and Indiana.  She held a nursing degree.  Awarded Outstanding Psychological Nurse at graduation (ISU) and worked as an RN at Union and Regional hospitals in Terre Haute, and also in St. Lucie Florida.

Susan's love of travel and of flight had her later seek her most enjoyable career as a flight attendant with American Airlines upon graduating from AA academy in Dallas Texas.  Susan had been stationed in Miami, Dallas, and St. Louis.

Susan reunited with her boyfriend Kevin in 2003, having originally met while both in bowling leagues at Imperial Lanes in 1983.  They eloped in 2004 and were married on the beach near Kona, Hawaii (The Big Island).  They honeymooned on Kilauea volcano and at Hapuna Beach.  Son Evan was born later that year. 

Susan enjoyed working as a Functional classroom aide at Dixie Bee elementary, Otter Creek middle, and most recently at Ouabache elementary school (until her stealth stage IV cancer abruptly became symptomatic, leaving her unable to work) just days ago.  Susan was especially touched by the number of students that would recognize her in public and run to her for a hug.

Her biggest joy was constantly traveling Indiana as Evan competed in soccer from a young age recreationally to highly competitively at the club level and at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.

Susan was raised in a farming family that loved cats, caring for as many as 30 on the farm as a youth.  She was a sponsoring sister to tens of international exchange students while at home in her school years.  An outpouring of condolence has arrived from these bonds from this extended family from all over the world.  All of the love messages were shared with Susan in the days prior to her passing and brought her much comfort.

Susan gleaned much joy from a tight friendship coworker group at Ouabache with Linda B, Kevin S, and Sue Y.  Susan had a wonderful friendship group from the travelling sports families, especially with Michelle P, Kristi S, and the Kyrouac, Anders, Guevara, and Ross families. 

Susan loved sky-watching jet planes, and tracking the visible passes of the international space station in the early evenings.  She binge-watched Hallmark Christmas movies and found it fine to leave the Christmas tree and lights up until spring.  She loved yellow Peeps, M&M's, fireworks, and going to the US Nationals ever year to see the jet cars and top fuel dragsters for the visceral rush.  Kevin, Susan, and Evan loved cruising the Caribbean on the big ships, especially with friends.  Susan enjoyed scuba in the oceans but was equally loving of French lake or Fowler Park beach locally.  A special event for her family was live witnessing the launch of the last space shuttle Atlantis and having a friendship with the Cuvelier family from Merritt Island, FL.

Susan and her family are especially touched by the high level of care from Dr. Jabbour, the staff at Hux Cancer Center, and the wonderful nursing staff of unit 3C at Union hospital.  Tracy and Dana from Hospice of the Wabash Valley must be recognized for the above-and-beyond love they showed.  They in three hours arranged for a cap and gown reception for Evan (who graduates high school in two weeks) when it was clear Susan was arriving at the bridge.  In Susan's room the family and an intimate group were able to gather and Susan was able to see culmination of her life's mission to shepherd Evan into adulthood as a high school graduate.  This was nothing short of an immortal joyous memory that she took with her.  Tracy and Dana are Angels on earth.  Sister Betty at Hux brought calmness to Susan, meeting with Susan at every radiation appointment.  Chaplain Deb at Union was wonderful and even confirmed and rejoiced with us that we were blessed with a Godwink, a sure sign to all that He is in control.

Susan passed peacefully into her assured salvation with her Lord and Savior as her husband and son held her hands at 3:33 pm on Mother's Day 2023.  Forever loved.

Susan's wishes were for cremation and no services.  She did not want sorrow and grief to overtake her friends and wanted to be remembered as Evan's sideline mom, and a good wife vibrant and full of life as she was just weeks ago.  In lieu of tears Susan would want everyone to be vigilant of melanoma.  It is a coward who hides from detection and steals without discrimination.

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