Susan Rhae Garn Horne

Susan Rhae Garn Horne, 61, of McLean, VA returned to her heavenly home, while surrounded by loved ones, on January 8, 2021 after courageously enduring a lifetime of medical challenges.

Sue was born on September 18, 1959 to Edwin Jacob “Jake” Garn and Hazel Rhae Thompson in Whidbey Island, WA, where her father was stationed in the Navy. The family soon returned to her beloved Salt Lake City, UT and she grew up on Laird Avenue, just minutes from her grandparents’ house where she spent much time and enjoyed many family dinners. She knew her neighbor, Russell Nelson, well and he liked to call her “Sweet Sue.” She adored her friends from Uintah Elementary and Clayton Junior High, especially Sue Center, with whom she was joined at the hip. She loved sewing with her mom, crocheting with Granny T, cooking with Grandma Garn, playing kick the can with the neighborhood kids and finding snakes at the Midway cabin. The young family followed their patriarch along his career in the Senate and moved to Virginia when she was 15. Tragically, when she was 16, her mother was killed in a car accident and Sue stepped in to be a mother-figure to her siblings.

She went to Langley High School then attended the University of Utah and thoroughly enjoyed two studies abroad, visiting nearly every European country as well as Israel and Russia. She especially enjoyed living with her sister, Ellen, on Palace Court in London during one of her overseas adventures. She was an intern at the White House and followed her father on every campaign trail. She was a voracious reader, devouring multiple books per week. She was extremely intelligent, kind, and had a quick wit, often being the voice of reason and having the ability to de-escalate situations quickly.

While visiting her family in Virginia, a serendipitous trip to their family doctor led to her meeting her future husband, Allen. They fell in love and were married on June 1, 1984 in St Michaels, MD. They were thrilled to add Allison Rhae to their family in 1985 and Daniel Allen in 1990. Sue always dreamed of becoming a mother; from a young age it was her ultimate desire to have a family and she was absolutely the best mom there ever was. She had an affinity for babies and her own babies were her whole world. She relished every moment with her family and she and Allen provided them with every opportunity for learning and growth. Together, they attended every event, kept tabs with teachers and with what was going on at school, were known and loved by their kids’ friends, and gleamed with joy at their children’s accomplishments. They enjoyed many family vacations including trips to Barbados, St John, France, Germany and Austria as well as to many local historical sites and extended family reunions.

Sue had a gift for being fully present in every situation and for giving the perfect advice. There was no time limit or sunset on her ability to listen and no frustration that ever crept in while dealing with anyone. She always saw the best in people and was nonjudgmental. You could literally reach her any time 24/7 and she would be there for you. She was the rock on whom so many leaned.

Sue was an incredibly talented seamstress, crocheter, quilter and baker. Her cooking was legendary and many hours were spent in the kitchen whipping up perfection. When her children were little, she took them to the fabric store to pick out patterns and material for their fanciful halloween costumes. She spent her later years making things for the ones she loved, particularly grandchildren. Many have received the most beautiful quilts, blankets, scarves, rugs, handbags and stuffed animals made lovingly by hand, even as her eyesight began to fail her.

Susan was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. She had a firm testimony of her Savior and the plan of salvation and was never afraid of death. She wrote in her journal numerous times, though, that she wanted to be around to at least help her children get started in life; and she was.

Her grandchildren are blessed to have known her, as well, and remember her as the Grammy who loved them more than life itself; the one who would spend countless hours just listening to stories, reading books, baking cookies, watching kids’ shows, snuggling, playing games, giving them baths for the 4th time even though she was soaking wet, the one who was endlessly patient and always there for them. They brought her immense joy and she surrounded them with love.

Through no fault of her own, health was not something that came naturally to Sue. A few days after her birth, her parents almost lost her after she contracted an infection. When she was only 10, she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes which set her up on a lifelong course of multiple ongoing health problems. Two kidney transplants (organs donated by her father and husband), a pancreas transplant, 2 bouts with breast cancer, eye surgery that left her blind in one eye, and losing baby Hannah at 22 weeks pregnant, are among just a few of the crises that she endured with faith and perseverance. She knew that she would go when the time was right and she faced her trials with a brightness of hope. Though her health was not steady, she was. She provided an ideal childhood for her children, who neither heard her complain about her situation nor heard “woe is me.”

Though she lived in Virginia most of her life, she would always call Utah home. She will return there to be buried next to her dear mother, Hazel, and her mountains. When it is safe, a celebration of life will be held in McLean, VA.

Sue is survived by her husband, Allen Horne, daughter Allison (Casey) Pixton, son Daniel Horne, father E. J. “Jake” Garn, brothers: Jake (Sharon) Garn, Jeff (Heidi) Garn, Brook (Shauna) Bingham, Matthew (Allyson) Garn, sisters: Ellen Garn and Jennifer (Chris) Rogers, grandchildren: Aiden, Hazel, Clara and Jack, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Thompson Garn, and her stepmother, Kathleen Brewerton Garn, as well as many beloved grandparents.

Special thanks to her husband, Allen, and her son, Daniel, who tirelessly worked to allow her to remain comfortable at home during her final stage of life.

In lieu of flowers, we request that you please follow this google forms link and submit memories of Sue so that we can keep her memory alive for her children and grandchildren. Once you click the link there is also a place to submit your email address so we can invite you to her celebration of life.

Click here to leave a memory of Sue