Mary Susan Rinehart Kummer

Mary Susan Rinehart Kummer, 88, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Born and raised in Catonsville, Md., Sue attended Wilson College for two years, then transferred to University of Maryland, graduating in 1940. She married her high school and college sweetheart, Stan Kummer, in March of 1942. Shortly after their wedding, Stan left to serve our country in the European Theater in World War II. Upon returning, Stan and Sue lived in Baltimore, Md., and Richmond, Va., before moving to Roanoke in 1956. Sue taught speech at Breckinridge Middle School before becoming a guidance counselor at Ruffner Middle School. Sue loved golf and tennis, playing often at the Roanoke Country Club, where she and her family were members for over 50 years. The highlight of her golfing career was a hole in one at Hidden Valley Country Club at a Member-Guest Tournament. Sue was an accomplished bridge player, teaching one of her daughters to play at a young age, an activity her daughter still enjoys today. Sue was gregarious, loved to entertain, and could often be found at 5 p.m. enjoying her bourbon and water, working in her garden. She inherited her love of roses from her father, and grew some of the most beautiful roses in the city. Sue was a fabulous cook, and her kitchen was a warm and inviting place. Sue loved to dance, and she and Stan enjoyed dinner and dancing while members of the Benedicts. Sue was a devoted wife to Stan for 66 years, and is survived by him and their three daughters, Barbara Ann (Babs) Smith, wife of Dr. Donald G. Smith Jr., Mary Susan (San) Kummer, and Nancy (Slim) Nance. Sue adored her grandchildren, Marshall Lauck, (wife, Casey Lauck), David Lauck, (wife, Meg Lauck), Kimberley Nance Zandler (Michael Zandler), Catherine Nance, Donald G. Smith the third (wife, Katie Smith), and Carlie Smith (fiance, Kevin Compter). In addition, Sue is survived by four greatgrandchildren, Carrington and Emerson Lauck and Caroline and Matthew Zandler. The family would like to thank the staff at South Roanoke Nursing Home who cared for Sue in such a loving and compassionate manner. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2008, at Second Presbyterian Church with the Dr. George Anderson officiating. A reception will follow the service in the fellowship hall. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel, 540-982-2100.