Susan C. Hightower

Susan C. (Smith) Hightower, died peacefully in her sleep, at her residence in Crofton MD, on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. She was born on April 27, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland to the late Howard and Mary (Bell) Smith. She was preceded in death by her son in law, John L. Bagileo.

Ms. Hightower was a special education teacher with the Baltimore City School system and touched the lives of many children with her 40 years of dedication. In the early 1960’s she helped start the Maryland Special Olympics along with Eunice Kennedy Shriver. Along with helping start the Maryland Special Olympics she was also a basketball and track and field coach. She attended the first International Special Olympics in 1968 as well as many Special Olympic games held at Towson University.

Ms. Hightower loved to read, watch shows about animals and enjoyed the company of her family.

Surviving are her daughter Nancy B. Wilson and her husband Mike; grandchildren Lauren Curtin and her husband Jared, Hannah Wilson, Josh Wilson, and his wife Charlene all of Huntingtown, MD and Bethany Wilson of Keyser, W.V.; nine great-grandchildren, Remi and Rhett Curtin, Cameron, Collin, Gia, Briella and Wesley Wilson, Dorian and Braydon Wilson. Her sister, Nancy (Smith) Feldman and her husband Harris of Santa Ana, CA. Her niece Maggie (Feldman) Rubenstein and her husband Rob and their son Leo of Long Beach, CA. Along with a host of relatives.

Funeral Services will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Hospice of the Chesapeake, John & Cathy Belcher Campus, 90 Richie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122 or online at hospicechesapeake.org