Susan Brownell Hirt

Susan Brownell Hirt of Greencastle died on Thursday morning, Oct. 10, 2019. She was 86.

Susan was born on Jan. 21, 1933 in Valparaiso to Dorothy (Goodpasture) and Keith J. Brownell.

She graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1951 and attended DePauw University for two years.

In her time at DePauw, she met Robert “Louie” Hirt and was married on Sept. 20, 1953, at her family home in Valparaiso.

She worked as a secretary for attorney Rob Bremer before becoming the director of the Putnam County Court Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP).

In 1987, Susan was awarded the Law Day Gavel Award for her work with SATP. Judge Sally Gray remarked at the reception, “She was so extraordinary...What set her apart from other directors was that she had a sincere, personal commitment to help people in the area of substance abuse.”

Susan was a member of Tri Kappa, the Century Club, the Hospital Guild and a 25+ year member of Greencastle Christian Church.

She is survived by son Kenny Hirt and wife Kate; six grandkids, Alexandra, Samuel, Joshua, Tucker, Ella and Avery Hirt; daughter-in-law Karen Hirt Mannon and husband Jim Mannon; and cousin Jim Brownell.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son Robert L. Hirt II, grandson Robert L. Hirt III and sister Nancy Brownell.

A celebration of life will be held Oct. 30 from 4–8 p.m., with the service at 7 p.m., at Greencastle Christian Church.

She had a room-altering laugh and the most loving demeanor. She was well known for writing and sending cards to hundreds of people for all kinds of occasions. She was a hero in strength, resilience and love to her family and friends.