Lifelong love of the arts and British murder mystery novels
Published April 4, 2019
PORTLAND, Maine — Susan Schulz, 69, of Portland, Maine, peacefully passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019. Susan was surrounded by her family and friends after a brave journey with cancer.
Susan was born to the late William Jack and Margaret McKee on December 18, 1949 in New Castle, Pa. Susan graduated from Greenville High School and attended Slippery Rock University. She married Robert Schulz, Sr. in 1968, and they lived in Rochester, N.Y., Orlando, Fla. and Kingfield, Maine before Susan settled in Portland, Maine in 1995.
Susan is survived by three children: Robert Schulz, Jr. and his wife, Corie Washow, of Durham, Maine; Brian Schulz and his wife, Kate, of North Reading, Mass.; and Rebecca Giles and her husband, Eric, of Baiting Hollow, N.Y. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Keifer, Cooper, Kiernan, Maggie, Asher, Ella and Lucas. Susan is also survived by her three siblings, John McKee, Greta Beede and Anne McKee. Susan created deep roots in the Portland area through her career at Goodwill, Unum and Prudential where she met her best friends and travel companions, Doreen Riordon of Scarborough and Laura Kilmartin of Westbrook.
Susan had a lifelong love for the arts including music, theater, art work and literature. She was a gifted artist and found inspiration from nature. She was an active member of the community in the Western Mountains of Maine teaching pre-school and becoming a champion for the arts through her position at Mountain Arts. She especially enjoyed her passion for British murder mystery novels and always maintained a youthful spirit and imagination through her affection for the Harry Potter series.
Susan’s most committed activity and source of pride was that of her active role as a grandmother. Always present in their lives and creating special weekend journeys, attending a sporting event or encouraging a fun arts and craft project. She was a beautiful person who embodied compassion, kindness, tolerance and love that was shared in the lives of all that she touched and will be carried on by those she loved.
A private celebration will be held in Southern Maine in late spring.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Susan Schulz to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.
