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Susan Simonton Tillinghast

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Tulane University

Susan Tillinghast Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 17, 2025.

Scottsdale - Susan Simonton Tillinghast, a loving wife, adoring mother, grandmother, & fantastic friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 74, surrounded by her family at home in Scottsdale, Arizona on May 13, 2025.

Susan was born in Bowling Green, KY on November 1, 1950 - All Saints Day, and boy was she a Saint! Her family moved to New Orleans, Louisiana when she was six-months old, which became a place she would always consider "home". Susan went on to obtain her undergraduate and master's degrees in Audiology from Tulane University. Shortly after, she met and married Dr. A. Judson Tillinghast in 1977. The newlyweds moved up to Shreveport, Louisiana where Dr. Tillinghast practiced medicine, specializing in pulmonary diseases.

Over the next few years, Susan gave birth to their cherished children: daughter Britten Gordon Tillinghast, and son Judson Acheson Tillinghast. In addition to being a devoted mother, Susan rapidly became involved in the local deaf community and was instrumental in developing The Deaf Action Center of Northwest Louisiana, putting her Audiology degree to good use. In 1993, The Tillinghasts moved to Paradise Valley, Arizona where Dr. Tillinghast joined a new medical practice, and Susan went to work for Russ Lyon Realty (now known as Russ Lyon Sotheby's International Realty) after obtaining her real estate license. Susan flourished and went on to have a very busy and successful career as a Realtor in the Scottsdale area for 22 years. She retired in 2016, due to an early dementia diagnosis.

By 2018, her dementia had begun to progress quite aggressively. Susan's family decided to forego a memory care facility and keep her safe and comfortable at their home instead, while providing her care themselves. Over the next 7 years, The Tillinghasts cared for Susan throughout her arduous journey with dementia, alongside the top-notch assistance of Hospice of the Valley, and a few incredible in-home caregivers from Golden Heart Senior Care, until her last breath. Susan's close friends also remained loyal, supportive companions through the years, by continuing to visit her and reminding her of how loved she was. The family is exceedingly grateful for their collective support.

Susan was a beautiful, bright light; an elegant, smart, and energetic, warm soul who made a lasting impression on everyone she met. She never met a dog she didn't like and rescued as many as she could over her lifetime. Susan was a fierce protector of those closest to her, and she loved her family with every fiber of her being. Her generous love, joyful spirit and southern charm will be missed by all.

Susan is survived by her devoted husband, Dr. A. Judson Tillinghast, her daughter, Britten Gordon Tillinghast (Pat Perez), son Judson Acheson Tillinghast (Melly), granddaughter Hailey Anne Tillinghast, grandson Judson Hunter Tillinghast, and her stepmother Marlene Simonton. Her beloved rescue pups, Billie and Sunny, miss her terribly. Susan was predeceased by her mother Wilma "Billie" Simonton, father James R. Simonton, and brother James Simonton.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date this fall. In lieu of flowers, any memorials may be made in Susan's name to Hospice of the Valley (HOV.org) or Alzheimer's Disease Research (BrightFocus.org/cureAD" rel="sponsored">BrightFocus.org/cureAD).

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Recent Activity

July 19, 2025

Carol (Sussky) Gilley posted to the memorial.

June 22, 2025

Martin Langford posted to the memorial.

June 17, 2025

Legacy Remembers posted an obituary.

2 Entries

Carol (Sussky) Gilley

July 19, 2025

I met Susan `Simonton´ during 6th grade at Bissonet Plaza Elementary School in Metairie after we were transferred from New Jersey (through my Dad´s job). Susan was my best friend for several years even through 9th grade at T.H. Harris Middle School.

In 10th grade at Riverdale High School, both of our social circles changed as we became involved in different sororities. The following year my Dad was transferred to Houston where I still reside.

Over the next years Susan and I stayed in touch writing letters and visiting:
o She came over in 1972.
o I went to New Orleans in 1972 and later to Alexandria when she was doing her audiology internship.
o We went on a Caribbean cruise together in 1976.
o I went back to New Orleans before they moved, when she was pregnant with Britten

We continued to write letters into my marriage in 1982, but, sadly, somewhere in there after they moved to Arizona, we both became involved with our different lives and that connection faded away.

I have thought of Susan quite often. She had a joyful way about her. She was always kind and accepting. She was not one who had "issues."

Here is a good story. When I visited in 1972, she and Aida and I went to the Quarter. At Pat O´Brien´s, an elderly man and 2 very `healthy´ companions came over and wanted to meet us. When we heard the man was from New York and had the last name Gambino, Susan turned to me and said, "I´d like you to meet my friend Nancy..." and continued to introduce us with incorrect names. We made a hasty retreat after that.

Over the years I Googled her name in Arizona, but I never had the courage to make contact. I searched again last week, and that is when I read of her passing.

I never saw Susan or heard Susan say an unkind word. She was gracious and ready to make others feel at ease.

I am glad she had her family to tend to her during her difficult time as she did for her Mom.

I am sorry for what they must be feeling as a major anchor in their lives has been removed.

Be there for each other as Susan would have been there for you.

Please accept my heart-felt condolences, and I wish each of you peace and comfort.

Carol (Sussky) Gilley

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Martin Langford

June 22, 2025

I wanted to write a few words about Susan's life. I first met her in the early '90s, when her husband, Judson and I worked together at what was then called Doctors Hospital and socialized at the Osler Club. At one of the Osler Club's parties my wife, Laurie and I first met Susan. We both enjoyed her smile, wit and knowledge of the real estate market. Therefore, when we prepared to buy our first house in Scottsdale in 1997, we used her as our real estate agent. When we outgrew that house and bought our second and current house, we also used her as our agent. When we closed on that house, in the Town of Paradise Valley in 2008, she told us that she always liked to provide a nice touch, a personal touch for her buyers. Consequently, she had our garage floor coated with Pebble Tec garage flooring, which we enjoy to this day. When my Dad and my stepmother relocated to Scottsdale, I recommended that they use Susan for their agent, and they were very happy with her help.

We last saw Susan when she and Judson took us to a restaurant in appreciation for referring my Dad, soon before she started her battle with dementia. Her obituary makes it clear that she fought bravely for many years. My wife and I will treasure Susan's memory, may she Rest In Peace.

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