RHEEM, Susan J.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Tuesday, April 26, 2011 We are deeply saddened to inform the community of Prescott that Susan J. Rheem left this world on April 18, 2011, while visiting family in St. Louis. Susan was born on Dec. 29, 1944, in Denver Colo. From childhood on she had an innate desire to care for the elderly; a few years ago she found a note she had written to herself at the age of 8: "I want to help old people." And help she did. In 1982, in her passion to help bring about more loving and compassionate care for the frail elderly, she was the driving force in founding Adult Care Services Inc. and Prescott Senior Daycare Center, now called The Center Adult Day Services in Prescott and Prescott Valley. Word soon spread that a visionary was making a significant difference in a rural community out west and, in 1985, President Reagan appointed her to the National Institute of Aging Advisory Board, enabling her to advocate on a local, state and national level in the development of adult day care services. In 1990, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor helped Susan break ground for the second phase of her adult daycare program. Then, in 1998, being ever mindful of the process and stages of aging, Susan and a team of caring and supportive community members broke ground for the third phase of their shared vision, the Margaret T. Morris Center (MTM), a residential setting for people with Alzheimer's and other dementias. In 1996, Susan obtained her master's degree in social work by commuting back and forth from Arizona State University to her busy schedule at Adult Care Services in Prescott. Susan is survived by her daughter, Devon R. Devlin (Mrs. Jamie); her son, Darren Rheem; a sister, Linda R. Schwartz; a cousin, Jean Koizumi; and her beloved 5-year-old granddaughter, Camille Devlin, to whom she dedicated the past two years of her retirement. She is preceded in death by her ex-husband, William S. Rheem III, and her parents, William and Marian Johnston. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. on June 11, 2011, at the Unity Church of Prescott, 145 S. Arizona Ave., followed by a walk through the Gardens at MTM. We ask all who knew Susan to please join us in celebrating her life - a life spent in selfless love for her family, the community of Prescott, its residents and everyone she encountered throughout her journey. In lieu of flowers, your support of the Susan J. Rheem scholarship fund will help families in need of adult day services. For more information, please visit Adult Care Services in person, on line at www.adultcareservices.org or call 771-2335. Susan was a very loving mother and an incredibly devoted grandmother. As steadfast and attentive as she was in her career she gave the same attention and passion to her very grateful family and friends. We are all better people because of you, mom, grandmom, friend, mentor and advocate, and we deeply love and miss you ... more than words can express. "Luv you Su-Su," Camille. Information provided by survivors.