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Susan J. Sterman, 64, died after a long battle with cancer, with her family by her side, on May 13, 2010, in Phoenix. She led a full life leaving a lasting legacy of helping numerous struggling families and children in northern Arizona through her capacity as an attorney and a friend.
She was born in Santa Rosa, Calif. on Aug. 24, 1945, and grew up all around the West, including, Colorado. She was part of a large Army family, including grandparents, uncles and aunts who all had a long and proud history of being in the Armed Services. She was the oldest of nine children and distinguished herself early in high school, earning a college scholarship for academics and becoming homecoming queen. She did all this despite fighting polio and its scars at a young age. She entered the U.S. Air Force in 1966 at the age of 21 and traveled the world as a communications specialist including the Philippines, Vietnam and Japan, earning an Outstanding Unit Award and a Vietnam Service Medal. She left the service in 1971 to have her first child settling in New Jersey where she graduated from Montclair State University and then New York Law School where she graduated with a law degree in 1980. In 1981, only one year into her fledging law career, she distinguished herself again by intercepting a rent gouging ring in Brooklyn, N.Y., by wearing a wiretap and standing up to assailants even after her life was threatened. Susan earned the moniker "Super Susan," by the local papers, and was awarded a Medal of Honor by the then mayor of New York City, Ed Koch. Soon thereafter she started her own successful law practice in Manhattan specializing in landlord/tenant law until 1994 when she relocated to Flagstaff. She joined the Coconino County Attorney's Office where she worked as a county prosecutor and in Drug Court for nearly 10 years. Susan also taught at Coconino County Community College where she helped pioneer the Paralegal Studies department. Upon leaving the County Attorney's Office she then started her own family law practice where she specialized in divorce and custody cases, touching the lives of many. Most recently, she moved to Glendale in early 2009. She is survived by her husband of five years, Dean Cody, two daughters and son-in-laws, two grandchildren, a sister in Flagstaff, and seven other siblings. She also leaves behind a big family of friends and acquaintances. A memorial service will be Saturday, May 22, between 3 and 5 p.m. in the banquet room at Alvin's,5200 Cortland Blvd., off Country Club Drive in Flagstaff. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to The Hope Cottage in Flagstaff.
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