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Susie Suarez Navarro Susie Suarez Navarro, a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and educator, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026, surrounded by family praying the Hail Mary. Born in Poteet, Texas, Susie carried a deep sense of responsibility, compassion, and perseverance throughout her life. She earned her undergraduate degree from Incarnate Word College and her master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. Susie dedicated fifty-five years to education as a special education teacher. From 1978 until her retirement in 1997, she served San Antonio ISD at JT Brackenridge, Rodriguez, and Zavala Elementary Schools. She was an advocate for less fortunate families—often teaching migrant students during the day and citizenship classes for their parents at night. She believed education was a pathway to opportunity and belonging. She enjoyed reading, travel, and local politics, and believed strongly in civic participation. Susie was known for her grassroots involvement, including block walking, phone banking, and proudly displaying campaign yard signs. She spoke with particular pride about attending President Barack Obama’s inauguration, which she viewed as a meaningful moment in American history. Staying active was important to Susie, especially walking. At age 79, she completed a 5K walk in Berkeley, California, alongside her late sisters, Connie and Irene. She regularly walked around Woodlawn Lake in San Antonio and White Rock Lake in Dallas. Travel brought her great joy, particularly family road trips and vacations. Her favorite destinations included Texas, Mexico, Hawaii, Italy, California, and Washington, D.C. She married Louis Navarro in 1963, and together they raised three children: Tyrone Navarro (Zenaida), of Napa, California; Selena Navarro (Gustavo), of San Antonio, Texas; and Athena Navarro-Hinkhouse (Tim), of Dallas, Texas. Susie was a proud grandmother to Isadora and Gustavo Luis Pineda, and Sam, Sela, Hera, and Nicholas Hinkhouse. After retiring, she devoted herself to her grandchildren—volunteering at their schools and attending school events. One of her final concerns was missing her grandson’s high school graduation. An educator at heart, she was especially proud that her grandson Sam and her grandnephew John Michael recently earned their master’s degrees. She celebrated the achievements of nieces and nephews across generations, from kindergarten through medical school. Raised among eleven siblings, Susie is survived by her siblings Julian, Pete, and Bridget, along with a large extended family. To five generations, she was simply known as Aunt Susie. Though she lived most of her life in San Antonio, Susie also spent meaningful years in Odessa, El Paso, and Portland, Oregon. In her final three years, she lived in Dallas, where she was active at the White Rock Court senior community. She especially enjoyed bingo, art, jewelry making, choir, and bean bag baseball—her favorite activity. Faith guided Susie throughout her life. She worshiped at Little Flower and St. Paul’s in San Antonio, and later at St. Patrick and King of Glory in Dallas. One of her favorite Lenten practices was Visita Iglesia, during which she prayerfully visited the San Antonio Missions along with her parish churches to complete the Seven Churches devotion. Susie Suarez Navarro will be remembered for her generous heart, devotion to teaching, deep faith, civic engagement, love of family, and her unforgettable smile. Those who were taught by Susie or worked alongside her are welcome to share a memory. She valued those relationships deeply. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. at Alamo Chapels, 624 N. Alamo St., San Antonio, Texas, followed by the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Poteet, Texas—the church where Susie was baptized. Interment will follow at Madre Dolorosa Cemetery #1 among her parents, siblings, and beloved relatives. A luncheon celebration of life will follow . Guests are welcome and encouraged to wear Susie’s favorite colors: pink, purple, and green.

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Susie Suarez Navarro

May 4, 1936 - February 21, 2026