Susan Dianne DeUnger

Susie was born July 5,1960 in east central San Antonio, TX, the fourth of David and Mary Goodrich’s eight children. At 4 years old, Susie nearly lost her life to pneumonia and lay in bed for several weeks, but she persevered and developed into a gregarious and feisty child, filled with life. Surrounded by her siblings—Michael, David, Janet, Margaret, John, Glenn and Mindy—and an even larger orbit of extended family, she enjoyed a life overflowing with family activity. In her teens, Susie fell head over heels for rock music, getting down to the Loco-Motion at the roller skating rink and sneaking out of the house to attend REO Speedwagon concerts.

She attended St. Gerard’s Catholic High School, and it was during this time that a friend introduced her to James Chapman, and she quickly fell in love. The couple’s blooming relationship brought their two large and rambunctious families together into a fast friendship, and Susie and James married in 1980 surrounded by love. Shortly thereafter, James entered the Air Force. From 1980-1994, Susie and James adventured across the U.S. and U.K. and brought four beautiful children into the world: Heather, Michael, Curtiss, and Rachel. Their family blossomed, nurtured by their shared love of music, film, crafts, and games.

In 1994, Susie and James separated. Heartbroken and raising four children alone, Susie took some time to get on her feet again, but her loving mother and siblings supported her through the tough time—helping around the house, bringing food, and spending time with the kids. In 1997, Susie went back to school and became a licensed massage therapist, developing her skills on her extremely lucky kids. She loved and embraced her profession, connecting with her clients through the healing power of touch.

At a family wedding in 1998, she met Anthony DeUnger, and the next year they married, adding three wonderful stepchildren to Susie's life: Andy, Kristi, and Alicia. Susie and Tony fully dedicated their lives to their family, reveling in movie nights and Sunday dinners, supporting the hobbies and eccentricities of their flock—photography, theater, guitars, art, fashion shows, soccer, books, and crime dramas—and showing up whenever they were needed. Even as her kids grew and left the nest, Susie loved nothing more than to sit and chat in her living room with the gathered family, punctuating the evening with movie quotes, song lyrics, and, often, dancing in the kitchen. Her life was blessed by 18 grandchildren, whom she loved dearly: Tyler, Drew, Holli, Oliver, Matthew, Adam, Benicio, Charlette, Reese, Jolene, Sean, Joaquin, Jaxon, Isaac, Richard, Edith, Griffin, and Liam. She loved to travel, and she and Tony frequently took trips across state and country to see their children and grandchildren.

Susie lost Tony in 2021 to COVID and was overcome with grief. As she recovered from her loss, she sought comfort in family and friends. She flew to the northeast to see her sister and attend a Kenny Chesney concert; she found peace visiting the beach to walk the sand and see the ocean; and she traveled to Germany to welcome her new grandbaby, Griffin, into the world.

During the last years of her life, Susie was delighted to have Rachel’s family move in with her and to grow extremely close to her youngest grandson, Liam. She also developed a loving relationship with her friend, Jeff Werner. Their relationship proved to be a great boon in Susie’s life, as he encouraged her to renew her passions and took her to the beach as often as possible.

Susie spread her joyous spirit to everyone around her, striking up close conversations even with strangers as she ran errands around town and sparking chummy relationships with Starbucks baristas as she cruised through the drive-thru in her Mustang for her coffee, regular. Susie was a light in her family’s life and a beacon of love, joy, and support. Her whimsical and easygoing nature brought comfort and laughter to those in her company. For her family and friends, she was one of a kind and her love was beyond measure. A beloved mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and wife, her light will shine on in all of our hearts and the joy of her presence will be felt for the rest of our lives.

Susie is survived by her siblings Michael, Janet, Margaret, John, Glenn, and Mindy; her partner Jeff Werner; and her children, Heather, Michael, Curtiss, Rachel, Andy, Alicia, and Kristi; and 18 grandchildren.

A visitation for Susan will be held Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.with Rosary at 6:30p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 21, 2025 from 11:30a.m. 12:30p.m. at St John Neumann Catholic Church, 6680 Crestway Dr, San Antonio, TX 78239. A committal service will follow at 1:00p.m. at Archdiocese of San Antonio -Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266.