Remembering Suzanne Curran

Suzanne Curran was a force to be reckoned with in Virginia politics.

I will forever have my first interaction with Suzanne emblazoned in my memories. I was running for U.S. Senate and showed up at a restaurant to meet and speak to a local GOP/Tea Party group. Suzanne approached me and in her famously direct way said, “Hi, I’m Suzanne Curran. You know, I just got to be honest with you. I like George Allen. I’ve known him a long time. But you are tea party and I love the tea party, so I’m going to give you a hearing and see if I like what you have to say!”

I knew I had a lot to prove to a woman who had GOP events named after her while she was still living! After the meeting she approached me and said, “Well, I gotta say…you passed! I like you. Now, how are we going to save this country for our children?”

Suzanne never grew tired of fighting for country, freedom, or Godly principles. She called me last year to talk on the phone about my Christian nonprofit to share the Gospel with Millennials. She was adamant that we needed a two-prong approach to change the hearts and minds of young adults and she wanted to better understand what I was doing. Of course, the conversation would not have been complete without talking about presidential candidates and Virginia GOP politics.

I know that Suzanne left strong impressions on all those she knew. I think most of us will think of Suzanne’s excellent sense of humor, magnificent smile, and passion for God and country. Here are just a few fond memories that others have of Suzanne Curran.

Suzanne had an “I love you” smile and a devious smile. Her friends could tell the difference.

~Scott Sayre, 6th District GOP Chairman

Suzanne was one of a kind. I’ll never forget when the results were announced at the 6th district convention this spring. Almost all the candidates she supported had won their races. Suzanne picked up a broom and walked across the stage sweeping! She was full of life and wasn’t shy about expressing her opinion. She would say, “I love you kiddo!” when saying goodbye, even if she had been airing disagreements as part of the conversation. Well Suzanne, this kiddo loves and misses you!

~Nate Boyer, Bedford GOP Chairman

What I remember about Suzanne is her instant positive energy about getting things done.  There are more instances than I can count when I arrived somewhere Suzanne was and she grabbed my arm to say ‘Ken, you need to do XYZ,’ or, ‘Ken, we need to get ABC moving!’

Suzanne was a doer, and she never complained about whatever was needed to be done.  I am going to miss her!

~Ken Cuccinelli II, Former Attorney General

I joked at a recent GOP event that when Suzanne had invited me to speak there, I said yes right away…because if you said yes to Suzanne right away, you could save yourselves both a lot of time!

Like so many other Virginians, Cathy and I were blessed by Suzanne’s friendship.  We worked with her shoulder-to-shoulder on many projects, and shared a lot of laughs and hugs in the process.

Suzanne would always call me her ‘second favorite Irishman.’  When her beloved Jim passed away, I called her to express my sorrow for her loss.  She thanked me, and I could feel her grief through the phone.

But before saying goodbye, she said in classic Suzanne fashion.  ‘Well, I guess you know what this means?  You’re my first favorite Irishman, now.’

She was a good woman, a principled woman, who loved our country and our Commonwealth.  There was no more fervent guardian of our Constitutional principles or defender of liberty than Suzanne Curran.  She will be sorely missed, but fondly remembered, by the so many of  us who were fortunate to call her our friend.

~Ed Gillespie, GOP Candidate for Governor

I spent some time with her after a State Central Meeting right after her husband passed away.  I asked her how she was doing and she very bluntly and truthfully told me she was struggling to get through each day.  But then she smiled and said God blessed her with a great life and a husband she loved very much.  Such grace even in the worst of times.

~John Whitbeck, VA GOP Chairman

What so impressed me was her energy and her complete lack of self-interest. She clearly thrived on her work for the conservative cause. No wonder she had so many friends.

~Carol Dawson, activist/friend

In one of her last acts she swept the stage at the 6th District convention, symbolizing the sweep the Conservatives had. I will greatly miss her.

~Lois Paul, activist/friend

Suzanne Curran was a fearless warrior for our conservative cause. When I was tapped to be VA State Director of  the Cruz Campaign this past Fall, Suzanne was one of the first people I turned to about being a part of our leadership team. I spent many hours on the phone or in person talking with my dear friend, not just about Ted Cruz or politics but about life, her late husband, God and many other things. Soon after Ted Cruz lost the Virginia Primary I received a message from Suzanne offering her resignation because we had lost her district in the primary. She had taken that burden upon herself. It was a touching moment. I called to assure her our loss had nothing to do with her leadership, but somewhere in the conversation I found our rolls reversed as she pushed and encouraged me. We both got back on our horses that day and continued the fight. That was Suzanne – she gave her all and never accepted defeat with ease. She was a determined warrior and a fighter. That inspiration lives on in so many of us in the trenches. Going forward, may we go on with the grit and determination of Suzanne Curran.

~Chris Shores, State Central Committee

For those wishing to pay tribute to Suzanne, the Sixth Congressional District Republican Committee will honor Suzanne with a memorial service this Saturday, June 18, starting at 1pm in the auditorium of The Stonebridge Center. Suzanne’s son, Matt, and her two grand children will be in attendance. All friends of Suzanne are invited.

The Stonebridge Center
43 Natural Bridge School Road
Natural Bridge Station, VA  24579
www.stonebridgecenterva.com