Susan Smarr

Susan Christine Smarr, age 77, passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2023 in Phoenix, AZ with family at her side surrounded by love and music after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Maisie Harendza of Binghamton, NY; her brother Richard Harendza of Binghamton, NY; and her brother David Harendza of Ocean Springs, MS. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Koeller (Adam) of Phoenix, AZ; her sister Judith Rawson (James) of Silver Spring, MD; her brother Christopher Harendza (Julie) of Lansdale, PA; her former husband, Pete Smarr of Fruita, CO; along with many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Susan was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England and grew up in Binghamton, NY. After graduating as salutatorian from Binghamton Central High School, she received her Bachelor's degree in education from the State University of New York at Cortland in 1967, then moved to Germany to teach at Ramstein Air Base where she met and married her former husband. After moving back to the U.S., Susan taught at the University of Wyoming Lab School in Laramie, WY. Following her move to Modesto and Menlo Park, CA, she took a leave from teaching to raise her daughter. After the family moved to Denver, CO to be closer to family, Susan taught at Holy Trinity Catholic School and then Flynn Elementary School, both in Westminster, CO. She received her Master's Degree in Education from Regis University in 1995. Susan was known and respected as an excellent and committed teacher until her retirement in 2006.

Throughout her life, Susan was an avid reader and was rarely seen without a book in hand. She kept abreast of world events and was a member of many social and economic justice organizations. She was a lifelong traveler, starting with her semester abroad in Neuchatel, Switzerland in 1965. She traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia and collected pieces of artwork that she treasured and gifted to loved ones. She loved the arts and music, played the piano and sang in a choir. Susan loved the outdoors in Colorado from hiking in the Rocky Mountains to visiting the wildflowers in the spring and watching the aspen leaves turn each Fall. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, she took her health seriously and was a dedicated practitioner of yoga, meditation, and journaling.

Susan was a very inquisitive person and she made friends everywhere she went. People were attracted to her generosity, loving heart, and big smile. Through the many personal and medical challenges she faced during her lifetime, Susan remained a brave, spirited, and fiercely independent woman. She loved her family and friends, always stayed close and ready to help whenever needed. She will be remembered as a warm and compassionate mother, sister, and friend and will be dearly missed.

A celebration of life will be held in Denver, CO on a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to local libraries, Regis University, or the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado.