Susan M. Kruse

Kruse, Susan (nee Fox), age 96, of Cherry Hill, NJ
Passed away peacefully at home on November 30, 2023
Born and raised in Philadelphia, she began dancing at age 6 and developed into a
talented dancer. She danced professionally for many years at various venues in
the Philadelphia and South Jersey areas. Susan was also very proud to win the
title of Miss Northeast in 1947.
She was married on June 19, 1948 to her high school sweetheart, Jack, whom she
had actually started dating in Junior High School. In 1952 she retired from her
career to raise her four children, moving to Cherry Hill in 1957 where she lived in
her same home for the remainder of her life.
At the age of 55, inspired by her son, she took up distance running. With her best
friend Bobbie by her side, she ran neighborhood streets and nearby trails. She
started competing in mostly 5k races, although she did race as far as a 10k (6.2
miles). She took great pride in winning several trophies and medals in her age
group. At the age of 75, her first heart attack and stroke slowed her down but did
not stop her. She and Bobbie began walking those same streets and trails.
In 1994 she was encouraged by her granddaughter Kristina to begin dancing
again, joining her onstage at their dance school recitals. She continued these
recitals with Kristina, then Jamie, and eventually found a group of mature ladies in
a school on her own. During these years she befriended a group of ladies who
introduced her to Girls Again Productions, affectionately called the GAP group.
She was the oldest of the group and danced with the GAP group until the age of
89, doing solo tap dances as well as group line dances. She thoroughly enjoyed
her time with this group, who entertained in many facilities around the area.
Susan's love of dance was eclipsed only by her love of family and friends. She was
enormously proud of each family member and was always ready to boast of their
accomplishments. Family and friends will remember her smile, laughter,
personality, generosity and hospitality. She and her husband Jack were known for
hosting amazing, quite memorable, parties. More recently, family dubbed her the
Blender Queen, honoring her ability to create fabulous cocktails enjoyed by all.
Susan was predeceased by her husband Jack and her daughter Karol Priest. She is
survived by her children Karen (Tom) Bianco, Kandy and Jack. Also survived by
son-in-law Jim Priest and daughter-in-law Jill Kruse, 7 grandchildren: Tom,
Kristina, Jamie, Jennifer, Kim, Kristopher and Kevin – and 8 great-grandchildren:
Tom, Jessica, Kaitlyn, Megan, Molly, Amber, Grace and Derek.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 10am at Bradley Funeral
Home, 601 Route 73 South at Evesham Rd., Marlton, NJ 08053. Service will follow
at 11am. www.bradleyfhmarlton.com Interment private at a later date. In lieu of
flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Susan's memory to the
American Heart Association or Samaritan Hospice NJ.