Susan K. Ormsby

Susan Kay Ormsby, née Dlugosch, died after an arduous and courageous battle with cancer. Elegant, stylish, and determined, she had a rare gift for making the world around her more beautiful.

Born April 8, 1947, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Paul and Birdie (Elbert) Dlugosch, Susan attended St. Mary’s grade school and high school in Storm Lake. She later attended Loretto Heights College in Denver, where she met the love of her life, Patrick Ormsby, who was attending Regis University. They married in 1967 and settled in Park Forest, Illinois, where they began their family.

While raising their four children, Susan earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from Harrington College of Design in Chicago and became an accomplished designer, bringing her discerning eye and unmistakable style to every space she touched. After moving to Olympia Fields, she brought that same care to her community as chair of the Beautification Committee and proud Village Trustee for 14 years. In 2013 Susan was honored with the dedication of “The Little Garden of Olympia Fields” for her unwavering efforts to beautify the village. Fittingly, given her love of design and her gift of transforming the spaces around her, she also served on the advisory board of the prestigious Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.

Susan is survived by her beloved husband, Patrick; her cherished children, Lisa Sampson (Teddy), Jenny Armstrong, Patty Ormsby (Susie), and Chris Ormsby (Raechel Willard); her adored grandchildren, Charlotte, Maddy, Oscar, Olivia, Ella, Evie, Lyla, Christopher, Henry, and Matilda; her older brother, Paul Dlugosch (Joyce); and her little sister, Anne McGrath (Kevin), and her sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and her many nieces and nephews.

Susan loved her family passionately and without reserve. She faced every challenge with extraordinary strength and courage and remained a fighter until the very end. Her legacy lives on in the family she loved and the lives she touched.

Susan also cherished her large circle of friends, many of whom she kept close for decades. They stayed in touch through the years and remained close no matter how much time had passed. She treasured every one of those friendships.

Susan will be remembered as an extraordinary mother and grandmother. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy. Her grace, creativity, strength, and unmistakable style remains a lasting part of the places and lives she shaped.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Birdie (Elbert) Dlugosch; her paternal grandparents, Louis and Bertha Dlugosch; her maternal grandparents, John and Leora Elbert; her father- and mother-in-law, Francis and Mary Elizabeth Ormsby; her brothers-in-law, Thomas Ormsby and Michael Ormsby.

Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday September 24,  from 3-7pm at the Tews-Ryan Funeral Home 18230 Dixie Highway in Homewood.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday at 10:30am at St. Veronica Parish Church (formerly Infant Jesus of Prague Church) in Flossmoor. For additional information contact tews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Helping Hand Foundation.