Susan Regina D'Ambrosio

Susan (Wahl) D’Ambrosio was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 22, 1942. She joined the U.S. Navy after high school and served in the Hospital corps at Great Lakes Naval Hospital. She met her husband-to-be, Philip, at Great Lakes while they were both in training. While he went to the Cuban Missile Crisis and a Med Cruise, Sue went Quonset Point, Rhode Island. They married in September, 1963, in Altoona.

While Phil sailed on Submarines, Sue attained her Associates in Science in Norwich, Connecticut, and her BS in Education at Eastern Connecticut State in Willimantic, CT. She taught American history and English in the Groton, CT school district, where only her children called her “Mrs. D’Ambrosio” in the classroom, while everyone else called her “Mrs. D” or “Mom.”

When they were transferred to San Antonio in 1983, Sue taught in the Archdiocese school system, and co-founded SPIRIT Educational Center with Dr. Beverly Pape Ewing, teaching children with learning disabilities. In 1987, Phil received orders to CINCPACFLT (Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet) at Pearl Harbor, where he served as Master Chief of the Hospital Corp. Sue taught at ASSETS School at Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Variety School in Honolulu.

While in Hawaii, Sue earned a Masters Degree in Educational Communications and Technology in 1990. After 30 years in the Navy, Phil retired, and 17 addresses later, they returned to their house in San Antonio in 1991, where they have remained since.

From ’92-’97, Sue was Assistant HRD Director at the San Antonio State School, TXMHMR (Texas Department of Mental Health Mental Retardation) and then taught at St. Monica’s and later, St. Pius X school. She moved into career development consulting and was self-employed as a personal career and life coach.

After retirement from working, Sue became very active in multiple organizations. In addition to her activities in the Ol’ Shavano Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as National Defense Chair and JROTC Medal Coordinator, Sue served as the Director of Resources in the San Antonio Professional Coaches Association; and she was on the board of directors of the San Antonio Transportation Association as chair of the Scholarship Committee. She was also the editor of the award-winning San Antonio Transportation Association Newsletter. Sue was also a member of the International Federation of Coaches and the International Coaches Association and was a lifetime member of the Pearl Harbor Chapter, Disabled American Veterans.

In addition to the above, Sue also served as Vice-President, then President, of the Clara Barton tent of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and contributed articles to their newsletter covering various topics. Sue was also a member of the Stryker Base Submarine Veterans Auxiliary and had served on the board of VGSAA (Veterans of Greater San Antonio Area), which serves the VA National Cemetery at Ft. Sam Houston. She also served as president of the Alamo Chapter of WAVES National, now known as Military Women Across the Nation.

Throughout her lifetime, Sue loved learning and teaching, in whatever form that took, whether it was through a formal teaching position, as a coach, as a writer, or as a lecturer. She always made efforts to share what she learned and relished the opportunities to do so, on both a personal and professional level.

She was also devoted to her family. Sue supported Philip in his 30-year career in the Navy and his pursuit of his bachelor’s degree after retirement. She kept the home going while he was out to sea and made sure everyone was well taken care of. She set an excellent example of how to parent with love.

She was a devoted Catholic and relied heavily on her faith to get through challenges, particularly in dealing with her loss of hearing beginning in 1969. As technology evolved, the advent of Bluetooth enabled her to finally listen to the music she so dearly loved in the way it was meant to be listened. She was constantly listening to the music that meant the most to her – hymns, instrumentals, movie themes from Disney movies, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings, classics like Neil Diamond and John Denver, and so much more.

Sue always presented a polished appearance appropriate to the occasion. She loved to go shopping with her daughters for clothes and craft supplies. Evidence of her love of crafting fills her family’s home.

Sue had a deeply loving and gentle heart, and always saw the positive in people. She went out of her way to show her care and support whenever someone was in need. She was a prayer warrior, leaning on her faith and making sure God was aware of those facing challenges.

Sue passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, surrounded by her family and gifted the Sacrament of Last Rites before she passed.

Susan is survived by her husband of 60 years, Philip D’Ambrosio, her daughters Ynyra Oshea, Shelley Richardson, and Katheryn Lugo, as well as son-in-law, Forrest Richardson, six grandchildren – Pace and Mika, Joshua and Joel, and Emily and Jacob, and a great-grandson, Noah. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Anne (Wahl) and James Dixon of Altoona, PA.