Susan Silk Hamilton

Susan Silk Hamilton, 78, died on May 7, 2021 from heart failure at Integris Hospice House in Oklahoma City, surrounded by her five children, her sister, and two of her grandchildren. Born on April 6, 1943 in New Brighton, PA to the late Bradford J. Silk, Sr. and the late Mavis R. Silk, Susan spent much of her early life in the North Hills of Pittsburgh. She grew up with her brother Bradford J. Silk, Jr (Peggy) of Leetsdale, PA, sister Bonnie Ufert of Pittsburgh, and brother Douglas Silk of Ben Avon, PA. Susan graduated from Bellevue High School in 1960 where she was a cheerleader, sang choir, played saxophone and excelled in academics. She loved music and dated boys who were great dancers or drove nice cars. She met her future husband...one of those great dancers...John Joseph Hamilton, Jr., while in high school but didn’t start dating him until she bumped into John in downtown Pittsburgh one afternoon while she was working at Alcoa. John’s parents had wanted him to marry a good Catholic girl and Susan had been raised Protestant (Presbyterian). So, on September 7, 1965, Susan and John eloped to Winchester, Virginia. They had kept their marriage secret for several months until Susan’s sister, Bonnie, saw her fumbling around in her purse for her wedding ring in the movie theater during the wedding scene of the Sound of Music. As tears streamed down Susan’s face, Bonnie realized the secret and asked her curiously “Did you marry John?” Bonnie kept her secret until later when Susan and John married in the Catholic Church. Susan attended Shippensburg University where she studied Business and the University of Pittsburgh where she studied English. She was also part of a couples figure skating duo. Throughout her lifetime, Susan’s highest priority was her family. Although separated by distance, her adult children remain very close spending as much time as possible including holidays and family vacations and getting special time with her grandchildren at “Momtucket.” Due to her husband’s career in retail, Susan relocated her family many times. She lived in Rockville, MD (1968-71); King of Prussia, PA (1971-72); Centreville, VA (1972-74); Bethel Park, PA (1974-77); Rochester Hills, MI (1977-81); Warren, PA (1981-83); Mountain Top, PA (1983-85); West View, PA (1985-86); Plano, TX (1986-87); Edmond, OK (1987-2003); Simi Valley, CA (2003-10). She returned to Norman in 2010 and spent Saturdays cheering for the Sooners. In 1987, Susan went back to work as the administrative assistant to the dean of the College of Mathematics and Science at the University of Central Oklahoma until 2002. She was an executive assistant at Countrywide Mortgage/Bank of America from 2002-2010. She most recently worked as a teaching assistant and testing coordinator for Norman High School. She retired in 2020. Susan loved to travel, visiting England, Austria, Argentina, and traversing the U.S. She also enjoyed reading, writing, photography, swimming, playing piano, and, most of all, listening to music. Susan had over 27,000 songs in her library and passed on deep love of music, corny love songs and ballads to her children. There are not enough words to describe the fascinating woman Susan was – feisty, fierce, strong-willed, adventurous, loving, funny, sweet, protective. She had gumption and was a mama bear and she passionately loved her Oklahoma Sooners. Susan’s family will always keep her close and carry her with them in their hearts and minds. Her joie de vivre will live on through her children and grandchildren. They would love for you to share a favorite memory, picture or story and to always remember her with love and laughter. Susan is survived by her five children Diane (Todd) Van Etten, of Carolina Beach NC; Julie (Paul) Edwards, of Broadlands, VA; Jennifer Hamilton (Ben Purcell) of Marina del Rey, CA; Nancy (Brian) Springer of Ventura, CA; and JJ Hamilton of Norman, OK; her eight grandchildren TJ, Susan, Michael, Drew, Elise, Eileen, Serena and Oliver; and many nieces and nephews. Susan was a second mother to Mindy Morris of Yukon, OK, and Esteban Mendez of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Her two beloved boxers, Josie and Ellie, will miss her terribly. Susan is preceded in death by her husband John J Hamilton Jr. With her outgoing nature and effervescent personality, Susan easily made friends who are scattered across the country and remained dear to her. Susan’s family wishes to thank the nursing staff of 801 ICU at Baptist Integris for their wonderful care and Dr. Sparling and his staff for their care over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations for aneurysm research to the American Heart Association. A private celebration of life will be held at one of Susan’s favorite places, North Carolina’s Outer Banks, next year and a tree will be planted in her honor in Tuscany, Italy. Boomer Sooner!