Suzanne Starr Virtue

An angel gets her wings…Suzanne "Sue" Starr Virtue, long time Norman resident, died on October 15, 2011, after a brief illness in Denver, Colorado, where she was residing with her youngest daughter, Rebecca. Sue was born in Charleston, Illinois, on July 28, 1921. In Charleston, Sue's father was a prominent physician. In 1928, Dr. Starr moved his family to Oklahoma City and established his medical practice there. Sue, her twin brother Bob, older brother Norman, and mother Ferne were excited about this new adventure.
When Sue was just 10 years old, her father died tragically. Her mother raised Sue and her two brothers in Oklahoma City, where Sue graduated from Central High School in 1939. At Central, Sue was a leader and involved in a wide array of activities, including editor-in-chief of the yearbook, student council, and "Cardinal Queen" her senior year. Sue stayed very involved with Cardinal alumni activities throughout her life.
After high school, Sue received the American Association of University Women's Scholarship to attend the University of Oklahoma (OU); she graduated with a degree in Social Work in 1943. At OU, she continued to be an outstanding student and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta (Tri-Delt) sorority. Sue loved OU, and displayed a passion for all things "Sooner" throughout her life, especially Sooner football, and in her later years Women's basketball. After graduating from OU, Sue continued her involvement with the University serving as President of the Oklahoma City Pan-Hellenic Association and was an active member of the OU Alumni Association.
In 1944, Sue married Dick Virtue, during his active duty in World War II. Sue and Dick knew each other since childhood, and both attended Central High School and OU. After the war, Dick and Sue settled down in Oklahoma City and raised their four children. Sue was a selfless wife and mother, who lived her life for her family and never asked for anything in return.
In Oklahoma City, Sue was immersed in her children's school and extra-curricular activities. She attended every PTA, scout meeting, football/baseball/cheerleading/leadership event in which her kids were involved, always with a warm and reassuring glance or comment, regardless of the outcome.
In the late 1960's, the Virtue family moved to Norman, and Sue resided there until last year when she moved to Denver to live with her daughter. In Norman, Sue started her professional career accepting a position as a Social Worker with the State of Oklahoma in 1968. Her first assignment was in Oklahoma County, and she soon transferred to Cleveland County, where she ultimately was promoted to Caseworker Supervisor; she retired from that position in 1980.
Sue was an avid reader and very active in local and state politics as an Oklahoma Democrat. She walked tirelessly door-to-door-campaigning for her daughter Nancy and son-in-law Steve when they were seeking office. Sue was unique for a person from her generation in that she embraced change and always wanted to learn about the latest new technological advance.
The only thing as important to Sue as her family was her faith. She was confirmed into the Episcopal Church in 1942 at the Bishop's Chapel in Oklahoma City, and she joined the Daughter's of the King in 1959. Sue's faith and service to God and her church were inspiring, and like everything else in her life, selfless and full of humility.
In Norman, Sue was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church where she was active in every aspect of church life. Her efforts included her ministry in the Daughters of the King, lay and nursing home ministry, prayer groups, and support groups. She attended St. John's for the better part of 40 years. Sue's faith and spirit filled the church for many years and was a source of comfort and healing for countless people in the community. She had time for everyone, whether it was a hallway conversation or a two hour phone call; she carried out her quiet ministry