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Susie Resendez Garza, age 80, of San Antonio, left this earthly life and entered into eternal rest on Monday, October 7, 2024. Susie was preceded in death by her parents, Roy G. Resendez and Susie P. Resendez; sister, Mary Evangeline de Pares; brothers, James Resendez, Roy Resendez, Robert Resendez, Charles Resendez; and grandson, Michael Garza. Susie is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Jenaro “Jerry” Garza, daughter Monica Arriaga, married to Bill Arriaga, daughter Shelly Oliver, niece, Susana Pares, granddaughter, Shelby Burns married to Austin, great-granddaughter, Emma Estrada, sisters Carmen Urbanowich, married to Charlie Urbanowich, Janie Lennon, married to Chuck Lennon, Patricia Perez married to Gilbert Perez, Rhonda Silvestrucci, brother, Billy Resendez, and numerous nieces and nephews. Susie was born in San Antonio on September 8, 1944. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in December, 1960, at the age of 16. She went to cosmetology school and became a licensed cosmetologist. She met and fell in love with her husband Jerry in 1964, and they were married on October 24, 1965. She and Jerry had their first daughter in 1966 and their second daughter in 1970. After Monica was born, Susie began attending San Antonio College and in 1974, while she and Jerry were raising both girls, she graduated from Incarnate Word College, now University of the Incarnate Word, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and obtained her teaching certificate. Susie immediately began teaching and spent the next 37 years working as an educator with Northside Independent School District. Susie’s career began with teaching kindergarten and first grade at Esparza Elementary. In 1976, she received her mid-management certification from Our Lady of the Lake University, and went on to work in Bilingual Programs, assisting children who could not speak English to learn English and become proficient in reading and understanding the English language. In 1977, Susie went on to earn a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. During this time Susie became very involved with the Texas Association of Bilingual Educators (TABE), holding various positions on the organization’s executive board and traveling across the United States and Spain on behalf of the organization. Later in her career, Susie became an attendance officer, ensuring that children attending Northside schools were attending school in accordance with state law and the policies of the district. Susie retired from Northside Independent School District in 2011. Susie and Jerry became parishioners of St. Luke Catholic Church in 1972 when Monica began attending school there. In 1976, Susie began coaching Shelly in volleyball with St. Luke Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). Susie coached Shelly’s team for eight years, leading the team to win four city championships. During those years, Susie touched the lives of many. She and Jerry formed lasting friendships with many families in the St. Luke community and continued to be part of the community, attending mass every Sunday without fail until the day before her passing. Susie loved her children and grandchildren dearly and was proud of their accomplishments. She assisted her daughters in caring for her grandchildren in any way she could, showering Mikey and Shelby with much love. When she was asked by her son-in-law to help care for Emma, she was happy to do so and immediately showered Emma with love and encouragement, teaching her to read and form good study skills as Emma entered school. Susie was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. FUNERAL SERVICES: The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. and a rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North located at 3401 Cherry Ridge Dr., San Antonio, Texas 78230. A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church, located at 4603 Manitou, San Antonio, Texas 78228, with interment immediately following at Mission Burial Park North Cemetery. Reception will be held at approximately 12:30 p.m. at the St. Luke Parish Hall following interment.

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Susie Resendez Garza

September 8, 1944 - October 7, 2024