Susan Christie Schroder

Susan Christie Schroder, 59, of Houston, Texas, passed away on October 6, 2025. Susan was born in Richardson, Texas, on December 15, 1965, to Dan and DiAnne (Gordon) Dowdey. Susan is survived by her husband of 27 years, Frank; her two children, Nicholas (25) and Emma (22); her brother, Michael and his wife Cynthia Dowdey of Dallas; and her nephew, Davis Dowdey.

Susan graduated from JJ Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas, in 1984, and from the University of North Texas in 1988. She began a 20-year career with U.S. Airways in 1989, to follow her love for traveling and adventure. For the last decade, Susan had a career in residential real estate and enjoyed working with both her colleagues and clients.

Susan’s lifelong love of travel started as a child on family trips to many places, including a dude ranch in Colorado, Hawaii, and Dauphin Island, Alabama. As a young adult, she dragged her friends along on many adventures including backpacking across Europe, a Nile River cruise and exploring Egypt, China, Europe, an African safari, Hong Kong, Thailand, and her multiple month-long “study abroad” adventure. Many of these trips were later duplicated with Frank and the kids, along with countless others, during their years living in Dubai—including travel to Jordan, Sri Lanka, Italy, London, India, Oman, the Netherlands, Ireland, and many more. Believe it or not, she still had a bucket list of all the places she either wanted to explore or revisit.

Susan loved scrapbooking and making fun, thoughtful cards—especially for birthdays, but really for any occasion. She had a real talent for turning memories into something special. Over the years, she filled scrapbook after scrapbook with pieces of her life—her adventures growing up, sweet moments with Frank, and all the milestones as her kids got older. Each book was its own little time capsule, full of photos, notes, and little touches that made them so personal. Making these books and cards wasn’t just a hobby for her—it was a way to hold onto the moments that mattered most.

She also loved getting lost in a good book and could always be counted on for a movie night. Some of her favorite times were spent with her family including our precious dog Indy, just hanging out and watching reality shows or funny rom-coms. It wasn’t really about what they were watching—it was about spending time together, laughing, talking, and just enjoying each other’s company.

Susan loved to serve and bless people with her beautiful desserts and meals. She also loved having little getaways with her friends—spa days and girls’ trips were some of her favorite ways to relax and recharge.

Susan stayed in touch with many of her friends from high school, college, and young adult life. She was able to maintain those friendships even while living halfway across the world in Dubai. When Susan met up with friends for lunch or just to catch up, she could talk for hours and made everyone feel truly seen and heard. She would listen to understand, not just to reply. She remembered the details of her friends’ lives and was always ready to lend an ear or a hand—even when no one was watching. She was, to quote her friends: “easygoing, lighthearted, lit up every room she walked into, compassionate, and to know her was to love her.”

More than a wonderful friend, she was a devoted wife to Frank and an incredible mother to Nicholas and Emma. She never missed a choir concert, scout event, or volleyball match over the many years. Despite all the busyness in her life, she always managed to have a delicious meal on the table. Her greatest joy was her family and creating special moments with them. Holidays were especially important to Susan, and she loved to plan and create meaningful, memorable experiences with her family.

Susan’s faith was a quiet but steady foundation in her life, guiding her with compassion, humility, and grace. With the way she held herself and interacted with anyone you could tell the Lord was shining through her. She is side by side with the Lord and rejoicing in heaven cancer free.

Susan fought cancer with remarkable strength, grace and optimism, never complaining, even through her relapse two years ago. She fought like a tigress, celebrating the small victories, she kept a positive attitude, she never wore a wig. She was a warrior, but cancer proved too great a foe. Thank you for those who supported her journey throughout the years, a special thanks for the members of Susan’s Sassy Support Team, the Team of Dr. Rakkhit, the amazing staff at Memorial Hospital, and the wonderful nurses and support staff of Oncology Consultants.

Susan’s warmth, generosity, and spirit of adventure touched everyone who knew her. She lived with intention, poured love into everything she did, and leaves behind a legacy of kindness, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Her presence will be deeply missed, but the love she gave so freely will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held on October 24, 2025. The service will be at 1pm, just after a gathering at 12pm. A reception will follow. All will be at Brookside Funeral Home - Champions, 3410 Cypress Creek Parkway, Houston, TX 77068.

For those who cannot attend there will be a live stream through Facebook on Brookside Funeral Home- Champions account.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Susan’s memory to The Rose to help women without resources to access breast cancer mammograms and care.