Susie M. Perez

(06/26/2003) Susie M. Perez An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels... Proverbs 31:10-31 Our beautiful mother and wife, Susie M. Perez, passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2003, at the age of 88 where she lived with her daughter, Margot, for four months prior to her death. She peacefully went to be with God while her husband of 67 years and daughters were by her bedside. She bravely fought the battle of dementia and stroke disease for more than four years to be with her family. Mrs. Perez was born in Kyle, Texas, on January 10, 1915. She was the youngest and only surviving sibling of nine at the time of her death. She met her husband-to-be on the Capitol grounds in Austin and they were married on December 12, 1935. Mr. and Mrs. Perez gave birth to five daughters and ensured that each one was given the opportunity to become educated in the field of their choice and raised them in the Methodist Church. Mrs. Perez went to Bickler High School and later continued her education to become a nursing specialist for the OB department at Seton Hospital. She was a dedicated and loyal employee at Seton for 16 years. Prior to that, Mrs. Perez served for many years in retail in downtown Austin during the early fifties. She was active in Palm Elementary School as President of the PTA and served as a delegate to statewide conferences for many years. Mrs. Nell Shotz, retired elementary school teacher at Palm School says, ``She was always ready to help me in any way. I remember her always looking so nice beautiful make-up and dress and pretty high heel shoes. I admired your Mom so much.'' She was instrumental in supporting Head Start Programs in the city and was called upon on many occasions to support education for all children. Mrs. Perez actively served Emmanuel United Methodist Church as a parishioner who loved her pastors and gave all to her church without thought of return. She served in every capacity in the church and encouraged her family to do the same. She was especially proud of her work with Church Women United and served to support their efforts while she could. Mrs. Perez acquired dementia in later life and suffered a stroke in February of 2003. During her entire illness, she remained faithful to her family, expressed her love for God, enjoyed music, and gave joy to her family during family times together through her humor and great ability to look on the bright side of life. She blessed everyone with whom she encountered in her final days. She is survived by her husband, A.B. Perez of Austin; daughters, Mrs. Yolanda Greathouse (Doug) of San Antonio, Mrs. Omega Kennard (Barron, deceased) of Austin, Ms. Rachel Ruiz of San Diego, CA, Mrs. Margot Perez-Greene (Ken) of Austin and Mrs. Marilyn Lacobee (James) of Virginia; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., followed by Prayer Services at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 26, 2003, in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home with Reverend Michael Dobbs officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2003, at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, 200 Brushy Street (IH-35 and 2nd Street, 472-4088) with Reverend Michael Albert officiating. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/ Memorial Cemetery. Mrs. Perez's priorities were God, family, and work. Above all, she focused on passing along the value of faith in God and love of family. Mother, thank you for being our Mother and teaching us the lessons of life until the day you left us. We thank God for giving you to us and now, we give you back to Him and anxiously await our reunion. We count ourselves rich for having you as our Mother and wife. ``...what though the radiance which was once so bright be now forever taken from my sight, though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower; we will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind; in the primal sympathy which having been must ever be; in the soothing thoughts that spring out of human suffering; in the faith that look through death in years that bring the philosophic mind. William Wordsworth