Susan Droz

Tempe - Feb. 5, 1940 - June 23, 2025

Susan Ash Droz of Tempe, Arizona died at age 85 after a long decline into dementia.

Born in Eugene, Oregon to Jesse Warren (Bud) and Virginia Ash, Susan was the fourth of six children. She and her siblings grew up in the historic Baldwin Market building at the intersection of Blair Blvd. and Monroe St.

Susan attended elementary school at the original Lincoln School at 10th and Monroe, where she first demonstrated her love for dancing on rainy days when recess was moved into the large on-site shed and students were taught folk dancing.

While still a young girl, she enrolled in a tapdancing class at Washington Community Center and learned a dance routine she remembered well into her older years.

Susan entered Eugene High School (later South Eugene) in 1956 and performed as a dancer in Oklahoma under the direction of Ed Ragozzino. In later years she performed for Ragozzino again as a dancer in a production of The Music Man at the Hult Center.

In 1960 Susan married James Anderson of Eugene, and had three children: Jason, Dena, and Matthew. The couple divorced in 1976, but Susan continued with her folk dancing and also her life-long love of hula dancing.

In addition to her love of dance, Susan was also a talented craftswoman. She painted gourds, beautiful water colors, and wood furniture in her imaginative whimsy style.

Susan had a penchant for fun, whooping it up with her sisters, friends and family, turning serious moments silly. She sought fun times for herself, and fun times for her children: offering to "drag the gut" with her daughter (who refused) sewing fantastic Halloween costumes and visiting her children's classrooms dressed as a witch.

In 1989, Susan married Michael Droz, and in 2001 she moved with him to Tempe, Arizona, declaring that she wanted to live some place where there was no "mold or mildew." During her years in Tempe, she was a Zumba dance instructor.

Susan leaves behind, and will be missed by, her husband Michael, her children, Jason of Salida, Colorado; Matt Anderson of Roseburg, Oregon; and Dena Isbell of Sisters, Oregon. Also, her grandchildren, Matias and Talus; Jesse and Hannah; and Jordan and Jenna. She will be gravely missed by her sisters Lynn Ash, as well as Judy Barr, both of Eugene, and her sister Kathy Hannaford of Carmichael. Numerous nieces and nephews, too, will honor her memory.

A gathering for family friends will take place at a future time.