Susan Hathaway-Saurman, of Eagleville, shared her journey from tragedy and life-changing loss during her childhood to healing in her new memoir, The Courage I Learned, writes Heather Grubola for 6abc.

The author’s father Byron Hathaway abused his family physically and emotionally for years. The abuse constantly escalated until he one day snapped and tried to kill her mother, Bernadette.

She managed to flee with the kids, only enraging Byron more. In April 1981, he waited for her outside their son’s church daycare and when she arrived, he killed her.

Hathaway-Saurman was just 14 years old when it happened. She has spent a lifetime grappling with the debilitating pain of her story.

Finally healed, she is now sharing her story and offering a portion of the proceeds of her book to Laurel House, a domestic violence organization in Montgomery County.

“They inspired me greatly,” said Hathaway-Saurman. “They were a huge source of positivity knowing that they’re trying so desperately to help individuals, victims, survivors.”

Today, the author is undergoing treatment for stage four ovarian cancer, but she is still holding on to the same hope that helped her get through other incredibly hard times.

Read more about Susan Hathaway-Saurman and her memoir at 6abc.

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