SUSAN DORMAN

1948 - 2020

Susan Boren Dorman
July 5, 1948 - March 24, 2020

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

Susan Hope Boren Dorman
(1948-2020)

Susan Hope Boren Dorman (July 5, 1948 - March 24, 2020) was born July 5, 1948 to proud parents, Congressman Lyle H. Boren and Christine McKown Boren of Seminole, Oklahoma. With her older brother David (former Oklahoma Governor, U.S. Senator and President of the University of Oklahoma), the family resided in both Bethesda, Maryland and Seminole, Oklahoma, while her father, The Honorable Lyle H. Boren, served in Congress as a representative from Oklahoma's Second Congressional District. Susan's childhood was filled with many adventures such as dancing classes and traveling. Some of her favorite memories included visiting her brother David in England while he studied at Oxford University, taking the train across the country with her parents, and annually attending the Congressional First Ladies Luncheon with her mother.
After her graduation from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, MD, Susan attended the private women's school, Stephen's College, and graduated in 1970 with a double degree in English and French Literature. Susan was always a top student, having a special love for languages and was exceptional at Math. She was a member of the Mensa Society, the oldest IQ Society for people with an IQ in the 98th percentile. Susan went on to receive a Master's from Duke University in Comparative Literature and graduated with high honors in 1971. She then joined the Congressional Research Service at the Library of Congress. Susan was known for exceptional and imaginative writing and was published frequently. She was known for her outstanding speech writing, and rose to become the Senior Specialist in Arts and Humanities at the Library of Congress, where she dedicated her life work for 37 years. She has stacks of hand-written thank you notes from U.S. Senators and Congressmen and women thanking her for her thorough and inspired research. As a senior researcher, Susan exercised her love for research and writing and her passion for the arts.
On September 6, 1980, Susan married artist, professional actor, journalist, and educator, Mark Dorman, at her lifelong house of faith, the Metropolitan Memorial Methodist Church by The Very Rev. Dr. Latch. Mark Dorman was the love of her life. Mark and Susan were true soulmates for forty years. They cherished every moment together and were united in heart, mind and soul.
Susan was the proud and dedicated aunt of her niece, Carrie Christine Boren Headington, and former Congressman Dan Boren of the 2nd District of Oklahoma.
Susan impacted everyone she met with her kind, gentle, and generous spirit. She exuded light, compassion, and unconditional love to all. She was generous beyond measure. A lover of the arts, an enthusiast of music, a dancer, fiercely independent, an avid reader with a penchant for spy novels, a traveler who loved to drive and relished the beauty of landscapes especially Florida and Maine, a dedicated friend, a devoted aunt, a doting sister, and an abiding, beloved wife, Susan Boren Dorman will be greatly missed.
Susan Boren Dorman is survived by her husband Mark Dorman of Arlington, Virginia, her brother Senator David L. Boren and sister-in-law Molly Shi Boren, her niece Carrie Boren Headington and Greg Headington, her nephew The Honorable Dan Boren and Andrea Boren, and her great-niece and nephew Janna and Hunter Boren. A memorial service will be held at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma www.regionalfoodbank.org, 3355 Purdue Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73179.