Susan Nurney

Susan “Sue” Nurney of Hatboro passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was 83 years old. She was the beloved wife of 62 years to Chris Nurney. Sue was born in Philadelphia, daughter of the late Charles and Sofia Paul.

Sue and Chris met at Drexel University and married in 1963. She graduated Drexel with a degree in fashion design, and worked with fabric the rest of her life, seemingly nothing beyond her incredible creative and construction prowess.  Each season, she would design and create something new, stretching and trying techniques she hadn’t before.  Christmas time brought research and many drafts, as she designed an ornament to gift to her loved ones and friends. Her legacy spans tote bags, kitchen hot mitts, snowflakes, and elaborate dolls in hand tailored historically accurate outfits… also, cut paper silhouettes of birds flying across a kitchen window, floral wreaths, and costumes for her front porch cast-iron bunnies, who changed their outfits as the year moved through the seasons, including football season!

Sue brought her attention to detail to her cooking as well; chocolate chip cookies always on hand, each batch somehow not right to her exacting standards, but imperceptibly so to those who enjoyed eating them, and all the other wonderful foods from her kitchen.  Sue was also a great gardener, making lovely displays in antique barrels and crocks around the beds of annuals in her beautiful yard.  She was accomplished in wood working too, and known to get on a roof when needed.  In her down time, Sue could be counted on to be devouring yet another mystery book, figuring out “who done it” before the closing page.

Sue enjoyed 50 years of fellowship with her Quester chapter, Damian House.  She was so proud to host the group’s Christmas dinner at her home each year, another chance to design a space to theme and color.  Each spring it was her joy to welcome the group to "Nurn’s Craft Night in the Afternoon”, and guide her friends in making their own craft for the season.

In addition to husband Chris, Sue is survived by her son, Jay Nurney and his wife Dawn; her daughter, Sally Nurney; a brother Dave Paul; many nieces and nephews; and her “perfect cat”, Solstice Kitty.

Sue was preceded in death by her daughter, Debbie Nurney.

Relatives and friends will be received by her family on Saturday, January 17th after 10:00 am in Schneider Funeral Home, 431 N. York Road, Hatboro and to attend her Life Celebration at 11:30 am. A luncheon will follow Sue's Life Celebration Service at the William Penn Inn, 1017 Dekalb Pike, Gwynedd, PA 19436 and all are welcome to attend. Her interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sue’s name to Forgotten Cats Inc., Suite 422, 4023 Kennett Pike, Greenville, DE 19807. To share memories and condolences with Sue’s family, please visit her tribute wall above.

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