Mary Sue Howes (1930-2022)

HOWES, ORSBORN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/22/2022 at 11:04:25

Mary Sue Howes

August 19, 1930-May 19, 2022

Mary Sue Howes, age 91, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2022 at Ridgecrest Retirement Village with her loving husband John R. Howes by her side.

Sue was born August 19, 1930 to Mary and Lester Orsborn in Red Oak, Iowa. She attended the University of Iowa, where she met the love of her life, John R. Howes. Sue was first female member of the University's Economic Honor Society. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was selected for Motar Board. She was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority-Tau Chapter, where she made lifelong friends. After college she attended the University of Michigan Law School on a full scholarship.

She was united in marriage on March 6, 1954 to John R. Howes, and together they raised five children and had a life full of adventures. After her children were grown Sue attended the University of Dubuque and obtained a Master of Divinity in 1987. She served as an Associate Pastor for 20 years at First Presbyterian Church in Davenport, giving uplifting sermons and presiding over baptisms, marriages and funerals. She was an active member of Churches United of the Quad Cities and the Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities, always advocating for the LGBTQ community.

She loved traveling with her husband of 68 years, tennis, gardening, opera and all animals. She enjoyed attending equestrian events in Kentucky. She was exceptionally caring to her family and friends, optimistic and funny. She was a fierce champion of civil rights and proud of the fact she marched with Martin Luther King in the early 1960's in Chicago.

In addition to her husband John R. Howes she is survived by her children: Frank (Mary Lou Burket) Howes, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Mary Howes of Bettendorf, Thomas (Beth) Howes of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Nancy (Joe) Coon of Geneseo, Illinois, Sarah (Dave) Adelson, of Mawah, New Jersey. Also left to honor her memory are grandchildren John Davis, Steven (Larissa) Adelson, William Davis, Kevin (Maddy Coda) Adelson, Emily (Benjamin) Schmitt, Lauren Coon, and a great-grandchild, Camden Tumlin-Davis.

A memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25th at Ridgecrest Village. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to K9 Kindness Rescue, Inc. of the Quad Cities. Online Condolences may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com.