Susan Unger, Beacon resident, wife, mother and fearless fighter, succumbed to Covid 19 on December 11, 2020 at Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall in Newburgh.

Susan was born on October 26,1958 in Beaumont, TX to her beloved parents, Alma Tenney Cox and Dr. James Carl Cox Jr. Being the fourth of five children, Susan was taught to have a strong sense of integrity, to feel a duty to, as well as compassion for others. Susan honored this need to serve through her admission to the United States Naval Academy. She and 80 other women welcomed the challenge and historic responsibility of being part of the first class to accept female midshipmen. As a member of the 17th Company and 3rd Battalion Sub Commander, Susan graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May of 1980 with a service selection of Civil Engineering. On May 31, 1981 surrounded by friends and family in Plainview, TX, Susan married James P. Unger, a fellow Naval Academy graduate. She continued her education earning a Masters of Construction Engineering from the University of Florida in 1984 while being a full time Naval Officer and first-time mother. In 1989, Susan left the service as Lieutenant O-3 to join the Xerox Corporation where she provided 31 years of service in a variety of departments including Manufacturing Support, Corporate Human Resources and Benefits, and Corporate Finance. Being a lifelong learner, Susan also earned a Masters of Business Administration from Mount Saint Mary College in 2008. Susan was selflessly devoted to her family, being an unbreakable pillar of support. Of note is her special connection to and unwavering commitment to support her daughter Melissa Unger. Later in life, the pair traveled throughout the country and England, together sharing joyful moments and experiences. Sharing a commitment to God and love of the West Point Chapel, the pair received great happiness from participating in a variety of Chapel activities. Susan felt emotions greatly and full heartedly, sometimes experiencing memories of happiness, humor or sadness as though it were happening for the first time in the moment. This connection to feeling greatly made her an enduring lover of stories, especially movies, with one of her favorites being Bachelor Mother.

In March of 2018, Susan began the fight of her life. Diagnosed with Multifocal Glioblastoma Multiforme, Susan was burden with an aggressive type of brain cancer. Where no one would deny an individual sorrow or even a bit of self-pity facing a terminal illness, Susan was fearless and continuous about beating this battle and taking all measures to spend as much time with her family as possible. Susan endured biopsy, radiation, multiple types of chemotherapy, Avastin, immunotherapy and countless other complications and procedures all with a steadfast faith and absolute determination. Where it may have seemed that her will alone was responsible for her beating each and every expectation, that is not true. The Unger family has a great debt owed to the many medical staff that have treated and cared for Susan. Innumerable hours of time, attention, care and compassion were bestowed by these professionals.

Susan is survived by her husband, James P. Unger, her daughters, Melissa E. Unger and MC U Hansen and her husband Niels C. Hansen; her siblings, Joseph Merrells Cox, II, Alma Lee Cox Humphrey, and Albert John Cox; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was also predeceased by her brother, James C. Cox, III.

A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 12 at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, 342 South Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY.

PLEASE NOTE: In compliance with NYS guidelines, social distancing and face masks will be required. Please visit Susan’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.