ARDEN - Susanna was born in 1933 in Füssen as the first child of her parents, Rosa and Albert. Füssen is a pretty little town in Bavaria, nestled at the foot of the Alps, very close to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. She grew up in a sheltered environment at first. Her father was a pastry chef and ran a popular café together with Susanna’s mother.

As is well known, the political situation in Germany led to World War II, which began in 1939. This had a lasting impact on Susanna’s life. As the older sister of Sofie, who was born six years after her, she had to take on a great deal of responsibility during and the war and after it, more responsibility than a child can actually handle.

Her father was drafted as a soldier During the Russian campaign, he was taken prisoner by the Russians, where he died in a prisoner-of-war camp. He was initially listed as missing, and it was a difficult time for the family to live in uncertainty and fear. When the news of his death arrived, it came as a great shock.

For both Susanna and her sister Sofie, their father remained a central figure in their lives for the rest of their days. Susanna’s mother, Rosa, was left alone in postwar Germany to provide for her small family. She kept the café running for a few more years, but eventually everything had to be given up, and the family was left with nothing. Susanna was 18 years old when she left Füssen to work as a waitress in Switzerland.

Susanna’s path then led her to Munich, where she met her future husband, William—known as Bill. He was stationed in Bavaria as an American soldier. The two became a couple, got married, and their son George was born. Bill, too, had already been through a lot as a young man during the war. They faced the challenge of building a life together. The family moved around a lot due to Bill’s military service. They were stationed in various places in Europe, including Germany, France, and England.

Eventually, they moved to the U.S., where they lived from then on. Even there, Bill’s military service required several moves to different states. George grew up and followed in his grandfather’s footsteps, becoming a pastry chef. Susanna has seen and experienced a lot, and she enjoyed living in the U.S. She said, “This country has always been good to me.”

Susanna stayed in touch with her family in Germany and visited them regularly, which was always a major event for everyone. She learned English but also maintained her German language skills at a near-perfect level until her death.

At some point, Bill decided to leave the military and return to his home state of North Carolina. Years later, they decided to build a new house on a mountain. Then the family suffered a devastating blow when Bill passed away suddenly before the house was fully completed. Susanna showed great dignity and strength and continued to live in that house—which she loved dearly—for many years. She told her astonished relatives in Germany about bears in her garden and breathtaking sunsets.

Eventually, fate struck again, and her son George passed away as a result of a serious illness. It was a very difficult time for her, being alone in her old age, and she deserves admiration once again for her courage and resilience as she faced yet another profound change in her life. There were people who stood by her side: friends, neighbors, Father Cahill, and her daughter-in-law Nancy. She moved into assisted living at the Trinity View senior residence. She took the pictures of Füssen that she loved so much with her to her new home.

There, over time, she made friends and was able to spend her final years in a community. Health problems and pain took an increasing toll on her, and on August 14, 2026, she passed away.

Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, August 31, 2026, at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 72 Culvern St., Asheville with Deacon John Langlois officiating. Inurnment will follow at West Memorial Park, 40 Roberts St., Weaverville.

West Family Funeral Services is honored to be serving Susanna’s family during this time.

When God saw that the path was too long,

the hill too steep,

and breathing too difficult,

He put His arm around you and said:

“Come home.”