Susan Jean Anteola, 72, of Houston, Texas, passed away at home on Dec. 31, 2020 after a hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

Susan was born Dec. 14, 1948 in Los Angeles, Calif. to Gene and Carmelita Chapman. She was an Army brat, growing up across the US and overseas, with her family settling in Security, Colo. in 1962, moving there from Landshut, West Germany.

After meeting at Widefield High School, Susan (class of '67) married Marc Anteola (class of '66) on Dec. 5, 1970. They moved to Pittsburg, Calif. in the 1980s, started a family, and eventually moved to the NW Houston/Cypress area in 1995. After a 30-year career as an insurance investigator and adjuster, she retired in 2013.

Susan was blessed with the gift of gab and truly never met a stranger. She made friends everywhere she went and enjoyed staying in touch with all of them.

She loved to travel and looked forward to annual trips to Hawaii and frequent visits to see her family and friends in Colorado. In retirement, Susan and Marc joined local seniors groups and loved the camaraderie they found on bus trips to Branson, Mo. and Shiner, Texas and everywhere in between.

An avid reader, she always kept a pile of books nearby. You could often find her up late into the night devouring mystery novels. After she retired, her love of books inspired her to volunteer at her local library.

She had a heart for animals and over the years accepted many stray cats and dogs into her family. She was known to keep pet food in her car to feed homeless animals she would encounter along the road.

But most of all she loved her family and dedicated her life to them. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister. The oldest of seven siblings, Susan was caring and encouraging. She delighted in spending time with and enjoying the spontaneity of her four grandchildren who lovingly called her "Gagy."

Susan is preceded in death by her parents and brothers Christopher and Michael.

She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Marc; daughters Marquel Anteola and husband Matt Havlik; Marisa Owen and husband Bryson; grandchildren Amelia and Ingrid Havlik and Violet and Parker Owen; siblings Karen, Steven, and Dennis Chapman, and Teresa Ritz and husband Tom; sisters-in-law Terry Brown and husband Dick, Vicky Fleming and husband Bob; brother-in-law Andrew Anteola; and many nieces and nephews, neighbors, and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00am, Monday, January 25, 2021 at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church, with masks required for those in attendance.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network .