Susan Mae Tomaro (1966-2021) loved life and loved her family, both given and chosen. She was the most beautiful, generous and loving soul. She was tender, gentle and kind. She gave fully of herself to both loved ones and acquaintances. 

Susan was the best partner that her husband Mark Delucchi could ask for. She completed him in every way. She was his North Star, his everything. She deeply loved her children. Clare, Celeste and Nicholas were her world. Everything she did was for them. Everyday, we see Susan in them as they express their excitement and joy, as they show tenderness and love, as they face challenges with grace and determination, and as they combat injustices with their wisdom and strength. They are amazing children because of her.

Family was important for Susan. Her grandmother, Susan, and her father, Nick, were very much a part of how she lived out her love and life. Though far from family, she was always connected to the love of her mother, Jeanne; her aunt and uncle, Kathy and Bob; her siblings Cindy & John and Nick & Blyth; and Kayla, Jordan, Anna and Jay. She loved the warmth and caring she received from Mark’s family, particularly his mother Carol and Godmother Marie.

She loved and pampered our dog, Momo, and Wrigley & Sammy before him. Susan loved taking the dogs on walks in the Grove, Stow Lake and the beach. She treasured time in the water and being in nature. Swimming, paddling, camping and hiking were sacred times for her in places like Big Basin, Moab, Crane Cove and in our National Parks. There she would connect with herself and with those around her. She was true to her Midwest roots, loving pickles, polka, a good kringle, twizzlers, and hoppy IPAs.

She was an avid reader of the news and literature. She loved her Milwaukee Brewers and Northwestern Wildcats and adopted the Giants. A gifted writer and editor, teacher and accountability coach; she helped countless people tell their stories of how they have transformed their world. Children and young adults with disabilities held a special place in her heart. As a cancer survivor, she was devoted to the study of lymphoma, participating in studies and seminars to further this field of research. 

Susan’s family is eternally grateful for the outpouring of love and support during her cancer treatment and at her sudden death on November 8th. She passed away blanketed in the love of both family and friends from around the world and from our local community.

Small private services will be held to remember this beautiful woman. To honor her, please consider a donation to the things she cared deeply about, such as the Sempervirens Fund to protect the redwood forests in Santa Cruz, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to support those with blood cancers, Camp Kesem that provides support to kids and families impacted by cancer, or the charity of your choice. Susan truly lived a life for others and calls us to do the same.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 11 to Nov. 14, 2021.