Susie Barsoum Duarte

Susie was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 25th, 1972, to Theresa ElGawly Barsoum and Barsoum Barsoum. She was their third daughter, following the births of their eldest, Amany, and second daughter, Sahar. Three years later, she welcomed a younger brother, Mark.

Growing up in a family that spent a lot of time together—praying, laughing, and sharing meals—kept them close. They learned to love one another and to always be there for each other.

The family moved to the South Bay in 1980. Susie attended primary, middle, and high school in Palos Verdes, graduating from Rolling Hills High in 1990. She then attended Cal State Northridge, where she majored in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. While in college, she worked as a florist, where her love for floral arrangements truly blossomed. After graduating, Susie entered the advertising industry, first working for the UPN network before transitioning into ad sales and eventually media buying.

In 1999, she met her husband, Jozef. They began dating in 2001 and were married on January 31st, 2004. In May 2007, Susie gave birth to their eldest child, Kristofer, and in October 2008, their daughter, Sophie, was born. Motherhood was the most important role Susie ever had. She ran the household and was an extraordinary mother to her two children. She was the foundation of their home, and nothing mattered more to her than her family.

Susie was only 5 foot 2, but she was a giant among men. She was feisty, spirited, and competitive—someone who would never back down or give up. She was a fighter.

Susie loved the ocean. It brought her joy and peace. If she could have lived on the sand, she would have. She loved the outdoors and was equally comfortable at a spa as she was camping or fishing. She enjoyed camping, swimming, and fishing with her family. She had great patience and would always end up catching the biggest fish.

She enjoyed playing sports, especially soccer, with her dad coaching and her family cheering her on. She excelled and was fearless on the field, competitive, and—rightfully—intimidating to others.

She loved music of all genres, from classic rock to old school hip hop, including Madonna, Prince, and Elton John. She loved to dance and roller skate. She enjoyed all sports but had a special affinity for soccer, football, and the Dodgers. She loved period pieces and was addicted to shows about the monarchies of Europe. She loved food—seafood was her favorite—but nothing beat her mother’s home cooking, especially her grape leaves.

She dearly loved her family—all of them. Her parents, her siblings, her nieces and nephews, and most of all, her children. Family was the most important thing in her life. And above all, she loved God. She was deeply spiritual, and we know she sits in the kingdom of heaven, waiting to reunite with her family in due time.