Susan Mary Zachary

Susan Mary Cain Zachary, 73, born July 3, 1948, lost her long battle with multiple sclerosis and earned her angel wings on December 25, 2021, at her home in San Antonio, Texas. Susan grew up in El Paso, Texas, and married her soul mate, James Neil Zachary, in 1969. They lived in New Mexico before moving to Gainesville, Texas in 1972 where they stayed for over 30 years to raise their family. James and Susan moved to San Antonio, Texas to be nearer their grown children in 2003.

Susan's most rewarding passion in life aside from motherhood was helping others also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She cofounded two non-profit organizations: MS World and MS Friends. Both provided support groups for individuals newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. MS Friends was so successful that The National MS Society hired Susan to run MS Friends through their platform. She also contributed her talents to multiple patient advisory boards for several major pharmaceutical companies. She was given the Champions of Courage Award by Betaseron Pharmaceuticals for her work in providing a live, online support group for millions of people affected by multiple sclerosis.

Susan is proceeded in death by her parents LeeRoy Cain and Marion Jesevicius and stepfather Jacob Jesevicius. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, James Zachary, her three children John (Marlayna) Zachary, Mary Kopacsi, and Elizabeth (Chris) Hicklin, 6 grandchildren: Preston and Jacob Kopacsi, Maggie and Abbey Hicklin, and Colton and Corbin Zachary, brothers Lee (Sally) Cain, John (Patsy) Cain and sister Cheryl Cain.

Susan's memorial service will be held at Whaley United Methodist Church, 701 Rosedale Drive, Gainesville, Texas on February 6th at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Susan's Memorial Fund with The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. https://mssociety.donordrive.com/campaign/Susan-Zachary-Memorial-Fund