Susan Marie Okolski

Susan Marie Okolski
November 21, 1959 – April 2, 2023
Susan Marie Okolski (née Rugotska), aged 63, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2023 at home in Tucson, Arizona, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on November 21, 1959 in Topeka, Kansas to Charlotte and the late James Rugotska, Susan was a thoughtful, endlessly positive woman with great compassion and generosity. Her father served in the US military and was stationed in Europe, where the family lived in England and Germany for some of her childhood years. She was the youngest of five children and had a special relationship with her four siblings Michael, Roger, Gail, and Vincent.
Susan cherished being a mother to her two children, Benjamin and Colleen, from her marriage to Steve Okolski from 1980 to 2003. Susan played a very active role in the lives of her children, and together they created many wonderful memories, especially when traveling throughout the United States in the family RV, camping in various national parks, exploring beaches, and going boating. Susan also supported both children in their competitive figure skating competitions across the country. Benjamin and Colleen were her greatest joy–she never stopped encouraging them to pursue their dreams and sought out every avenue to help them achieve their goals. She was and will continue to be the greatest role model for them, and many more who were blessed to know her.
Susan was creative in her own right, particularly in the garden. She had an incredible gift for envisioning outdoor oases. Every landscaping detail was intentionally planned to create a serene space for family and friends to share time together and make memories. This intention extended to her holiday decorating, too, especially for Christmas-her favorite holiday.
Throughout her battle with ovarian cancer, Susan remained as strong and determined as she always has been. Her diagnosis never stopped her from accomplishing her personal goals or continuing to help others. She chose to maintain a positive attitude while living a life full of love, laughter, and hospitality. Her family will remember her this way, always.
A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 15 at her home in Tucson. Her family welcomes those who wish to celebrate Susan's life to contact them for further details.