Susan Maltz Schultz

March 3, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina after a valiant 4-plus year battle with pancreatic cancer. Even as death approached, she inspired her children with her grace, humor, and wisdom about the final journey. Her joy for life, awe-inspiring positivity and indomitable spirit kept her pushing through the pain. “She’s amazing,” is how everyone described her.

Her children are deeply saddened by her passing. Susan was 84 years old.

Born on May 21, 1937, in Brooklyn, New York, Susan was the first child of Regina & Meyer Maltz. She graduated from New Utrecht High School and received a Bachelor of Arts from Brooklyn College.

While raising three kids and working fulltime, she received her Master of Public Administration from Long Island University in 1992.

Susan married Benson “Buz” Schultz on November 27, 1958. Together they shared a passion for renovating homes, sailing and travel. They celebrated their 60th anniversary with a trans-Atlantic crossing. She lived an extraordinary life.

In an era when most women were stay-at-home mothers, Susan began her career as a bookkeeper in Manhattan because - Susan wanted a job.

The next step on Susan’s career ladder was the world-renowned Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where few women held executive positions. When a senior management position became available, she immediately applied.

During her first interview, they told her that, “Washington, D.C. doesn’t like collaborating with women.” Undeterred, she broke the “glass ceiling” by rising to become the Lab’s Director of Grants and Contracts.

She helped change the world by bringing millions of dollars in research money to the lab. She ended her illustrious and award winning 28-year tenure by retiring in 2009.

In early 2017, Susan and Buz moved to Durham’s Carolina Arbors community where they created new deep and meaningful friendships. In late 2017, doctors diagnosed Susan with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer. They told her to “get [her] affairs in order because [she had] three months to live.”

Among her first calls were to her colleagues at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Among Susan’s last chartable acts was a donation to The Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory at CSHL led by Dr. Dave Tuveson. With her donation, the lab bought equipment that aids in the early detection of Pancreatic Cancer.

Susan called herself a “survivor” until the end. She shared her diagnosis and journey with others to inspire and raise awareness that a catastrophic diagnosis affects not only the patient, but the entire family.

Susan was wife, mother, sister, mother-in-law, and friend. Predeceased by husband Buz, Susan is survived by daughters Marla Schultz (Mark Grossman) and Lauren Postyn (Adam Postyn) and son Jonathan Schultz. Grandsons Joshua Postyn, Kyle, and Justin Schultz. Brother Michael Maltz (Marcia Farr), sisters Barbara Colodner (Michael Colodner) and Ellen Brown (Marty Brown), nieces, nephews, and grand-dogs, Sadie & Teddi.

Special thanks to her incredible team of doctors: Dr. Michelle Nacouzi, Duke Cancer Center’s

Dr. James Abbruzzese, Deanna Griffie NP, Dr. Sabino Zani and Tracy Berger. Pamela Acosta Marquardt, Founder of PANCAN, Beth Meyer Synagogue, The Werner Family, and her incredible neighbors at Carolina Arbors.

Susan wanted you to remember her for her generosity, storytelling, and her incredible sense of humor. She was truly a woman to emulate.

Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in her honor be made to Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network www.pancan.org , CSHL www.give.cshl.edu or Transitions Life Care www.transitionslifecare.org

A funeral service for Susan will be held Sunday, March 6, 2022 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 PM at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the Schultz family.