Susan Esther Bassett "Sue" Hetherington

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis native Susan B. Hetherington led boldly, gave generously, served tirelessly and delighted in a bond with other Hoosier women of her generation who raised families and then raised expectations of what women could do to make the world a better place.

In addition to being a wife, mother, and grandmother, Mrs. Hetherington was a high school teacher, a magazine editor, a non-profit executive, a philanthropist, and an advisor to three Indiana Governors, service which in 1985 merited her recognition as a Sagamore of the Wabash.

She passed away comfortably at home the night of July 3 of natural causes. A visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. are planned for Thursday at Crown Hill Funeral Home, 700 West 38th Street.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, James R. Hetherington, and her sister Barbara Bassett Olive of Fort Wayne. She is survived by sons: Robert Hetherington and William (Jamie) Hetherington; and by grandchildren: Rick, Amelia, Matt (Hayley), Katie, Greg (Sandy), Will and Abigail Hetherington. Survivors include nieces Cynthia Williams, Carrie (Alan) Lockcuff, Susan (Will) Monahan, Jennifer Earley; nephews Steve (Nancy) Williams, James Williams, and Richard Williams.

The daughter of William R. and Esther (Spier) Bassett, Susan was born January 28, 1931, in Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She attended Indianapolis Public School 84. She graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1949. Four years later, she graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington. At IU, Sue was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority; she was recognized as the outstanding female journalism graduate; and she married Jim, that year’s outstanding male journalism graduate.

Early on she taught high school English and Journalism in Laurel, Maryland; in New Albany, Indiana; at the Loretto Academy in Louisville, Kentucky; and at Broad Ripple High School.

During the 1960s, she was the editor of Hoosier School Master of the Sixties, a regular publication of the Indiana Department of Public Instruction; served as president of the National Auxiliary of Goodwill Industries; and helped steer the Committee on Employment of the Handicapped for the President of the United States.

She earned accreditation as a Certified Fund-Raising Executive through the IU School of Philanthropy. In the 1970s, Sue began an 18-year career as executive director of the Indiana Society to Prevent Blindness; started 14 years of service on the Indiana Rehabilitation Services Commission; and initiated 20 years of service on the board of Lutheran Child and Family Services.

In the 1980s, she joined the board of the Hoosier Safety Council. In the 1990s, she joined Rotary International, the downtown Indianapolis chapter.

In the 2000s, Sue joined and helped lead the Indianapolis Propylaeum, a women’s club which traces its founding in 1888 to one-room schoolhouse teacher, civic activist and suffragette Mae Wright Sewall.

Throughout her life, she devoted special, sustained attention to:

•The Fortnightly Literary Club, the Indianapolis women’s club founded in 1885, where she was a member for 55+ years.

•Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, where she served as the first female board president and on the board for more than 40 years.

•Indiana University, the IU Alumni Association and The Media School, where with husband Jim, they funded a Smithsonian quality exhibit that celebrates the school’s rich history and endowed a journalism scholarship awarded annually.

•Bethlehem Lutheran Church, where she was a member for 50+ years.

Later in life, she cited her mother as an early role model. She recalled filling Goodwill bags with her at home and her mother as a model of dedication to hard work and service to others, principles she acted on throughout her life.

She recalled enjoying baseball games with her father, a WWI veteran and Cincinnati Reds fan, who published his own newspaper, The Union Labor News, for 50 years and grew splendid azaleas which exploded during the Easter season every spring.

Memorial donations may be made to Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana, Lutheran Child and Family Services or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Susan Esther Bassett “Sue” Hetherington family.