Susan Cruz Szczarba

Susan Cruz Szczarba, 71, of Wilmington, Delaware peacefully passed away on May 20, 2023.

She is survived by her husband of 39 years Gary and will be missed dearly by him and their two cats, Teegan and Zena. Born in 1952, in Houston, Texas, she was the daughter of Robert and Maud (nee Armstrong) Cruz. She graduated from Lamar High School (1970). Susan attended Trinity University in San Antonio and graduated from the University of Houston (1974) with a degree in Art History.
Susan worked as a reference librarian at the Houston Museum of Art, the Houston Public Library, and briefly at the Delaware Art Museum. After retirement she became a longtime member of the Wilmington International Women’s Club, where she enjoyed her French lessons and met women from all over the world. She attended classes at the University of Delaware OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute for over 20 years.

Susan loved travelling. In 1990 she fulfilled her dream of living in Europe when DuPont transferred Gary to Mulhouse, France. In France, she learned French so well she was confused as a native. She planned marvelous trips throughout Europe to great destinations, fine dining, and beautiful sites. Upon returning to Wilmington in 1995 she continued planning wonderful trips to Europe, Canada and throughout the US.

Susan was passionate about art, music, and film, she was a walking reference source for each. She would seek out museums wherever she found herself. She went to numerous concerts throughout her lifetime, her first being the Beatles in 1965 at the Sam Houston Coliseum and last being Angelique Kidjo at Longwood Gardens. While at UH she wrote concert reviews for the student newspaper, the Cougar. Susan was an avid film buff her entire life; an ideal Saturday was to see two movies at the theater. Her yearly goal was to see all the films nominated for the Oscars before the award show.

Susan was a great fan of basketball and baseball, Allen Iverson, Jayson Werth, and Brice Harper, were her all-time favorite players. She was so excited when the Phillies made the World Series last year.

Susan was a loving and caring person who was cherished and loved by friends and family alike. She loved the neighborhood dogs, she knew almost all of them by name, and of course she loved her cats.

Her memory will be cherished by her sister Carolyn Cruz Kizer (John), of Chapel Hill, NC; nieces Elizabeth Arias (Ascrary) of Pittsboro, NC, Lillian Boyd (Jason) of Goldsboro, NC, Nora Maczura (Eric) of Springfield IL, Catherine Hathaway (Andrew) of Durham, NC, Anna Lange (Martin) of Durham, NC; nephew John O. Kizer III (Alexandra) of Chapel Hill; cousins Sherry Outlaw of Houston, TX, and Joel Outlaw of London, England; mother-in-law Arlene Szczarba of New Haven CT; sister-in-law Cheryl Szczarba (Bart) of New Haven CT.

In addition to her parents, Susan was predeceased by her brother, Robert Armstrong Cruz; infant sister Catherine Victoria; cats Quinta, Kindle and Enby.

A private graveside service will be held at Forest Park Cemetery, Houston, TX.