Obituary of Susan Elizabeth Smythe

A memorial service will be on December 14, in Aptos for Susan Smythe who passed away peacefully at her Aptos home on December 1, 2013. Born in Palo Alto, California, she was a long time resident of Los Altos, San Juan Bautista, and moved to Aptos 4 years ago. Susan was a dedicated teacher for over 20 years. She earned her Bachelor's degree at University of the Pacific, and her Master's degree in ESL from University of Arizona. At the time of her passing, Susan was working on her second Master's degree in Special Education at CSU Monterey. She lived and taught in San Diego, Iowa, Albuquerque, Bakersfield, Pacific Grove, Watsonville, and as a substitute teacher for many years with the Santa Cruz Unified School District. She lived in Haiti for 15 years where she immersed herself in Haitian art and gallery work. She loved traveling, camping, going for swims and playing games of all kinds. Her love, energy, and friendship will be sorely missed by her family, colleagues, friends, and those whose lives she enriched. Susan received spiritual guidance and resourcefulness as a Sai Baba devotee during her battle with a very aggressive brain cancer. She is survived by her mother, Elizabeth Means of Aptos, her sisters, Dotty Brown (Terry) of Sacramento, Margaret Replogle (Dick) of Tucson, brothers; Bob Means (Maryann) of Merced, John Means (Elaine) of Ben Lomond, and loving extended family. Susan was preceded in death by her father, Louis Means. A service will be held in Susan's memory on Saturday December 14th, 2013 at the Quaker Meeting House (225 Rooney Street Santa Cruz, CA. 95065) beginning at 1:30 p.m.