Susan Marie Darovich

Susan Marie Darovich, 71, passed away peacefully in her sleep April 30, 2026, after a courageous three‑year battle with cancer and the profound heartbreak of losing the love of her life, her longtime partner and fiancé, Michael C. Lamb, shortly after her diagnosis.

Despite her illness and grief, Susan fought to keep lighthearted spirit. She became a favorite among the staff at Texas Oncology, where her resilience and kindness left a lasting impression.

She was a favorite anywhere she worked because of her fun attitude and her dependable work ethic --always willing to take on extra work, stay late, or meet a last‑minute deadline, earning the gratitude and respect of everyone who worked alongside her.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and reared in Mesquite, Texas, Susan—“Susie” to her family—was a proud Mesquite Skeeter and a spirited member of the Mesquite High School card section. She earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts from The University of Texas at Arlington, where she was a 4.0 student and worked on the graphics and production staff of The Shorthorn, the university’s nationally award‑winning newspaper.

Her professional career reflected her creativity and dedication. Susan held graphics and production roles at The Dallas Observer, The Arlington Citizen‑Journal, and Arlington Today Magazine.

She and Michael also created one of the area’s early online publications, DFWlifeonthenet.com, a project that showcased their shared curiosity and collaborative spirit.

True to her generous and selfless nature, Susan was an organ donor. She bequeathed her corneas to UT Southwestern Medical School, where scientists noted that each cornea could help restore or improve the sight of as many as 24 people.

She was cremated, and her ashes have been blended with Michael’s. It is the family’s hope that next year they will be scattered together in a field of Texas bluebonnets—a place as gentle and beautiful as the life she lived.

Susan loved old movies and spent countless hours discussing, critiquing, and even recasting them with her sister, Donna.

She was compassionate and caring, and always rooted for the underdog. She was also a loyal Democrat who believed deeply in fairness and empathy.

She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Dallas.

Susan is survived by her sisters, Donna Ann of Arlington and Patricia Penning of Dallas, and by her niece, Alicia Ann Coyle, also of Dallas.

Susan never wanted to be a burden on anyone in any way and often endured pain and grief alone but today she is the arms of Michael and her mother and dad and happy once more.