In this episode, Susan shares her story of dying now that she has entered hospice for comfort care related to a progressive disease with no cure. She hopes to die peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones while sharing tall tales and laughter.
Susan McCue is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked in the field of death, dying, and bereavement since 2005. Her career began first as a hospice social worker, then as a hospice bereavement counselor. After obtaining her LCSW, Susan opened a private therapy practice specializing in grief and loss, mainly focusing on bereavement needs following the immediate death of a loved one.
During this time, Susan also provided grief and loss presentations at the community, state, national, and international levels on topics including the difference between the natural process of grief and more complicated grief responses.
Susan’s personal background includes multiple deaths in her immediate family, which led to Susan’s interest and passion for the field of death, dying, and bereavement. She is one of nine children born in an Irish-American family. Her father died at age 64, her mother at age 69, and six of their nine children (Susan’s siblings) died in their 50s and 60s.
Susan finds her personal and professional life coming full circle now that she has entered hospice for comfort care related to her diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis, a progressive disease with no cure. Susan’s brother and sister also died of this disease. Susan volunteers as a Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Ambassador to participate in PF research and to share her story with other PF patients, families, and loved ones affected by the disease. She hopes to die peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones while sharing tall tales and laughter.
