Tania Schuss

1953 - 2012

Tania (Cronin) Schuss has passed as the result of breast cancer. She passed out of this world on Nov. 22, 2012, at home, in the loving comfort of her closest family.

Tania was born Dec. 1, 1953, in Los Angeles, the youngest of three children, to Richard and Bianca Cronin.

She was raised in Newbury Park, attending Walnut Elementary, Redwood Middle School, and graduating from Newbury Park High School in 1971. Shortly after High School, Tania spent a year in Italy living with family in Rome, learning the language and absorbing the European culture, which she never relinquished.

Returning to the U.S., she went on to graduate from Moorpark College in 1974. After College she moved to Ventura with her sister where the two young women set up house and began their independent lives.

Soon Tania became acquainted with, and later married John Birchfield in 1978. Their marriage produced two sons, Garrett in 1981 and Shane in 1984. Sadly, their marriage failed under the burden of time and ended in 1990.

In 1995 Tania married Charles Schuss and moved to Camarillo where she maintained a home and flourished until the great recession of 2007. Then, after a series of set backs, including being diagnosed, she returned to Ventura to live out her days.

Tania was always a great source of positive energy, always upbeat, enthusiastic and optimistic. She had an indomitable spirit that was exceeded only by her capacity for friendship. She was certainly a good friend to many people and those relationships lasted for the duration of her days. Some people carry with them a spirit that is special. It brightens the room, so that others can see better. It deepens the emotions, so that others can feel better. It lifts people up, so they can reach higher. It delivers energy, which enables others to do more. In essence, that special spirit is Love, And it was Tania's enduring gift to us all.

Tania is survived by her husband of 17 years Charles Schuss; parents, Richard and Bianca Cronin; brother, Mark (Kathleen) Cronin; sister, Sandra (Will) Bartell; sons, Garrett Birchfield, Shane Birchfield and their father John Birchfield; and nieces Alyn Bartell and Sabrina Bartell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation at P.O. Box 7733, Ventura, CA 93006-7733.