Sue Hurwitz, 87, Overland Park, Kansas, died Friday, October 1, 2021. Family services were held October 4.
Sue was born March 12, 1934, to the late Dr. Sol and Dorothy Botwin in Kansas City, Missouri. Sue was a lifetime area resident, growing up in KC. Sue received her undergraduate degree in early childhood education from University of Missouri Columbia and a master’s degree in reading education from UMKC.
Sue married Gene Hurwitz in 1953, three days after her 19th birthday. Soon after, Gene enlisted in the Air Force, and they were stationed in Germany during the Korean War. After Germany, Sue and Gene settled in Lawrence, Kansas, to start their family. Gene joined his father in their family business, Food Supply, Inc., and Sue stayed home to raise their three daughters.
Sue and Gene moved their family to Johnson County in the early 1960s. Once all three girls were in school, Sue started her teaching career. Over the years she taught kids in grades preschool through 9th, however her favorite was always 2nd grade. In the 1960s, reading teachers used flash cards and gave IQ tests to students. Sue “practiced" her testing methods with her girls, though she never did share the results.
After retiring from teaching, Sue worked with Gene at Food Supply, taking care of the office while Gene concentrated on sales.
Sue retired again when they sold Food Supply. Not one to remain idle for long, Sue quickly filled her time writing. Sue was a published author, writing several children’s books, including a biography of astronaut Sally Ride and a social studies series that can still be found in grade school libraries today.
Sue was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Gene, just last year. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law: Nancy and Jeff Shniderman, Jane Hurwitz and Stephen Moore, Ann Hurwitz and Ron Paley, and granddaughters: Olivia, Adina and Zimri.
Condolences may be shared at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
