Mary Susan Hardy Pershing

Wichita- Mary Susan Hardy Pershing, 80, passed away on April 5, 2024, at Brookdale Tallgrass in Wichita, Kansas. She was born December 10, 1943, in Larned, Kansas, the daughter of Byrd and Alta (Dunn) Hardy. Her childhood in Greensburg, Kansas was idyllic, and she grew up surrounded by Animals, including cattle, horses, cats, and dogs. Together with her sister, Susan enjoyed showing the family’s horses. One of her special memories was winning her class at the American Royal in Kansas City when she was eleven years old. She also had special memories of following her dad around while he did chores and joining him when he went for coffee with the “guys”. Susan was an important “farm hand”, helping her dad by driving the tractor in the fields and driving grain trucks during harvest. Susan graduated from Greensburg High School in 1962. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Wichita and began working at a bank. In 1964, Susan married Richard (Rick) Mourning in Greensburg and their son Shawn Lee was born in 1966. Rick and Susan were active in the Wichita chapter of Jaycees (also known as the United States Junior Chamber) with Susan holding several offices before becoming Vice-President, then President of the National Jaycee Janes, the women’s organization of the National Jaycees. Susan later relocated to the Phoenix, Arizona area and began working in the real estate industry, first at title insurance companies and, later at a builder’s design center. In 1991, she married Ronald Pershing in Hawaii, and they began their life together in Sun Lakes, Arizona. After Ron’s passing in 1994, Susan relocated to Gold Canyon, Arizona and began working at a doctor’s office. In 2015, Susan moved to Wichita to be closer to her son. Susan was very artistic and enjoyed creating with her hands. Over the years she made jewelry, painted, crocheted, knitted and did embroidery, but her special love was quilting. Her many beautiful quilts are a testament to her ability to put together colors and design in many attractive ways. Her other love was travel and she visited many countries around the world until her health prevented further travels. Susan is survived by her sister Nancy Hardy. She was preceded in death by her mother in 1986, husband Ron Pershing in 1994, father in 2000, and son Shawn Mourning in 2019. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday April 12, 2024, in Fairview Cemetery, Greensburg. Arrangements by Fleener Funeral Home, Greensburg. Nancy is very grateful to the Wichita team who cared for Susan: Brookdale Tallgrass for their day-to-day care, Compassion Within Hospice for their support and care, and to Becca Hess, Transitions of Wichita for her invaluable help, friendship, and support over the last few years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kiowa County Library, 320 S. Main St., Greensburg, KS 67054, or to Compassion Within Hospice, 236 S. Topeka Ave., Wichita, KS  67202.