Susan Sverchek

1946 - 2024

Susan Sverchek

April 16, 1946 - June 2, 2024

San Luis Obispo, California - Susan Jean Sverchek, of San Luis Obispo, passed away Sunday, June 2nd, 2024. Sue was surrounded by her sons, the loves of her life. With her perpetual zest, sparkling wit, and genuine interest in everyone she met, she was beloved by her large family and many friends.

Sue was born in Oregon on April 16, 1946 to Joseph Warren Teter and Helen Marie Dayton Teter. Sue, her parents, and her sisters Anne and Jan, moved frequently, living in Eugene, Oregon, Winnipeg, Canada, and San Diego, California before settling in Belmont, California. Sue graduated in 1964 from Carlmont High School in Belmont. Determined to put herself through college, she worked while attending the College of San Mateo, and also proudly self-funded her first trip to Europe. She transferred to Cal Poly, where she graduated with her teaching credential.

While at Cal Poly she met and married Donald Sverchek. Together they had three sons, Michael, Andrew, and Thomas. Sue taught for many years, including at Grover Heights Elementary where she is fondly remembered by many of her former students and their families.

Raising her three boys, guiding and inspiring her students, contributing to others through her service to The People's Kitchen and other community organizations, and generously hosting countless gatherings provided outlets for her seemingly boundless energy. She also traveled extensively, both around the country and to numerous destinations in Europe, Asia, and Central America, including Kenya where she was deeply inspired by the Hekima Hills Learning Centre. She adored her five grandchildren and visited with them often.

In 2017, Sue began displaying the symptoms of a rare neurological disease, corticobasal syndrome. She met its gradual but relentless cascade of challenges and losses with a spirit of optimism, faith, and determination to make the best of what life handed her. Her family is deeply grateful to all of those who cared for Sue during her illness, as well as all of her large circle of dear friends who share our grief.

Sue is survived by her three sons, Mike of San Luis Obispo, Andy (Colleen) of San Luis Obispo, and Tom (Kristin) of San Francisco; two sisters, Anne (Byron) of Gilroy, and Jan (Michael) of Boise; and five grandchildren, Daphne, Jake, Dayton, Jacquelyn, and Beau. Her ex-husband, Don Sverchek, passed away on June 7, 2024, five days after Sue's passing.

Services for Sue will be held at 11:00 AM at Nativity of Our Lady in San Luis Obispo on June 20th, with a reception to be held immediately following the service at the Madonna Inn. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hekima Place, www.hekimaplace.org.