Susan was a beloved daughter, sister and aunt, and had many friends. She was very loving and caring of her family. She had a special relationship with her brother, William, who has autism. She was always there for him. She had much compassion and empathy for those less fortunate than her.
Susan was a very talented artist. She had a passion and love for drawing. She attended KC Art Institute and Penn Valley College, which helped nurture her love of art. She attended Center High School and lettered in softball her senior year. She was involved in Center High School arts and theater programs. She was a camp counselor for Girl Scouts at Camp Oakledge in the Ozarks. Susan loved visual arts and nature. She was very creative with acrylics, pencils, and other media. She was loved by most people who came in contact with her. She had a mentor who taught her about clowning, and her clown name was “Silly Susan”. She performed skills for an orphanage in Mexico and made three trips there to entertain the children.
We wish to thank all the wonderful people who helped her in the last stage of her life and showed exemplary compassion and support. Her dear friends Dave and Sandy Allison; Colonial Presbyterian Church; Rita Oliver; Joby Hambrick; Bonnie Wagner; the staff at Rediscover; Podiatry Clinic at University Health; Dr. Millward’s entire office and staff; Research Hospital; Goppert Clinic; the staff at University Health ICU who showed great care and compassion to Susan and our family; Angel Unaware.
Susan was preceded in death by her father, Rafael Garcia, Jr. and her sister Amanda Ruehrwein. She leaves behind her mother, Dolly Anna Garcia of Kansas City, MO; Tami Garcia-Schupp of Vacaville, California; William Garcia of the home, Kansas City, MO; Godchild and nephew Zane Michael Ruehrwein of Massachusetts; niece Lauren Carver of Vacaville, CA; nephew Jonathan Schupp of Denver, CO; her dear friend Cherri Zirkel; and countless friends and family members.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Colonial Presbyterian Church, in the Dalby Chapel, located at 9500 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO. Susan’s artwork will be on display and light refreshments will be served until 2:00 p.m.
