As one who needs to make tough decisions, Hebel’s job can be a bit stressful at times. So having her there for support was an immense help and now a bittersweet memory.
“She was quiet when she needed to listen, but spoke up when something needed to be said,” Hebel said. “She made sure to point out to me that she thought I was doing a good job even when some of the difficult and unpopular decisions had to be made. She had my back.”
A little ways across town, another townsperson keeps McDonough in their mind and heart quite frequently. That person is Larry Goehring.
“I was introduced to her while visiting the Lady Bug store, where she was working,” Goehring said. “I knew Sue for a very short three years, and came in contact with her again when the food shelf was established.”
Goehring fondly remembers her as one who assisted in any way she could at the town’s local food shelf. Helping others came naturally to her, and she did it in such a way that couldn’t be duplicated.
“Her smile was a breath of fresh air at first greeting,” Goehring said. “She was graciously willing to help others, especially when children were involved.”
A rich amount of enthusiasm, a carrying concern and a joyful tone are all qualities he saw in her as well. That combination along with an endless well of wisdom will be missed, he said.
“She most enjoyed talking to our guests, especially the children,” Goehring said. “She assisted with stocking and the children backpacks during the school year. She also enjoyed all the moments at our Santa Anonymous give out.”
Hebel added a few words about her wonderful ability to give advice, “She taught me to stick to my guns and not back down. She taught me that I needed to do what was best for the greater good and couldn't let others get me down. You can only do so much and at the end of the day. You need to go home and enjoy your family.”
The last time Hebel saw her, she distinctly remembers the steps they took in the care center’s courtyard and the how the entire conversation played out, down to each individual word.
“After our last board meeting, she mentioned how beautiful the courtyard was,” Hebel said. “I told her it was all due to one of the residents and one of our employee's talents. She said what a great form of therapy for mental and emotional wellbeing, and I thought... ‘She gets it!’”
McDonough’s following words of encouragement really solidified it for Hebel as well.
“She had so much experience working at the Care Center as a medical records employee that her opinion really meant a lot to me,” Hebel said. “I will miss Sue and the Advisory Board will never be the same without her.”
Hebel is also inspired by her spiritual journey, and the path she took to find the “right” church.
“She had such faith in God, really contributed to her church and she helped instill that faith in her grandchildren,” she said.
The recent Vista Lutheran Church interim pastor, Paul Meierding, can attest to that. She and her husband Mike attended regularly and also served on the church council together.
“Vista Lutheran Church was a very warm and caring place,” Meierding said. “Sue helped to contribute to that sense of warm.”
As the one who conducted the funeral services for both McDonough and her granddaughter Zoe, Meierding knows just how beloved she was by the amount of people lining the pews.
“Her physical resting place, where she was buried, is the Vista Lutheran Cemetery,” he said. “It’s a beautiful spot with some large trees shading many of the graves. Both Sue and her granddaughter Zoe are now buried there.”
The women of Vista Lutheran will certainly miss her presence in those moments of food preparation for special events.
“She seemed happiest when she was serving and helping others,” he said.
Hebel added, “I think she always tried to do what was right. She really cared about people in more than just a superficial way. She really cared.”
