January 01, 1970
Susanne Elizabeth Smith McNally died peacefully in her sleep on June 14, 2023 at the age of 85 in Valencia, Pennsylvania. Susanne was born on April 12, 1938 in Portland, Maine to William and Kathleen Smith. She had two younger brothers, Frederick and William.
The family moved to various states with her father’s work as a chemist, including Kearny, NJ and Bethany, WV before finally settling in Penn Hills, PA. Susanne attended Carnegie Mellon University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. When carpooling to college, she met her future husband, Paul Francis McNally, who attended the University of Pittsburgh and earned his degree in Electrical Engineering. They were married in 1962 shortly after graduation. Susanne and Paul had 3 children during the 1960’s, Peter, Kathleen and Bernard.
In 1970, the family settled in West Deer Township, PA at an old farmhouse which affectionately would become known as “Hilltop.” Susanne and Paul would create a loving home for over 35 years, enjoying life in the woods with their children, family dogs and cats, and for one summer, a very cantankerous pony.
After moving to Butler, PA in 2006 to be closer to family, Paul passed away after battling Alzheimer’s in 2016. Susanne entered assisted living in 2020 when her health began to decline due to Parkinson’s and Dementia. She eventually moved to St. Barnabas Arbors in Valencia, PA, where she passed.
Besides her family, children and grandchildren, Susanne was passionate about nature, gardening, flowers and animals, especially the family cats and dogs. She never missed a chance to take the dog out for ‘walkies’ in the woods, or admire the family cats snoozing in the sunshine. She also was an avid bowler and spent many Wednesdays at Deer Lakes Bowl. In 1997 she attended a rug hooking show at Northland Public Library in McCandless Township. Susanne was immediately ‘hooked’ (pun intended) and began to take weekly classes. She joined the Pittsburgh Rug Hooking Guild and found a community of similarly talented individuals. Her love for design, color and texture combined with a playful depiction of family, animals and nature blossomed. Eventually the Pittsburgh guild president, recognizing Susanne’s talent, offered to sponsor her for the McGown Guild Teacher Accreditation Program along with her best friend Fritz Mitnick. Susanne became an accredited teacher (along with Fritz), designed and hooked over 40 rugs (some of which were featured in the national Rug Hooking Magazine), and won local and national awards.
Susanne is survived by her children; grandchildren Indiana Iriana and Hugh Thomas Hagan, her brothers, and nephew Mason Smith. The family wishes to thank the staff at St. Barnabas for the considerate care and support during her time in residence there. A memorial gathering will be held at a future date to be announced by the family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider supporting Butler Meals on Wheels Inc. 724-285-3815 butlermealsonwheels.com the Butler County Humane Society 724-789-1150 butlercountyhs.org and The Pittsburgh Rug Hooking, McGowan Guild Chapter #83 mcGownguild.com
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