Suzanne "Suzie" Schwitters

Suzanne “Suzie” Schwitters, beloved wife, mother, grandmother “Mimi,” sister, and friend, passed away on March 1st, 2024, in El Paso, Texas, at the age of 69. Suzie was married to the love of her life, James “Jim” Schwitters, for 42 years. Suzie was an incredible woman beloved by her family, friends, and all who knew her. She had an infectious energy and enthusiasm for life that was palpable. Suzie was born in El Paso, Texas in 1954 to Gilbert Echaniz Lopez and Montserrat “Monse” Chavez Lopez. Suzie attended McAllen High School and Coronado High School. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso, where she received her B.S. in Criminal Justice and B.A. in Sociology in 1980. Two years later, she received a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with graduate minors in Public Administration, Counseling and Guidance, and in Educational Administration. Suzie’s career was devoted to work in education as she worked as a teacher, licensed school counselor, an elementary school assistant principal, and principal.

Suzie’s passion and heart for service was evident throughout her life as she was proud to serve her community through numerous organizations including: Leadership Texas, Community Partners of El Paso (Founder, Past President, Past Board of Directors), El Paso Del Norte YWCA Board of Directors, El Paso Rehabilitation Center, El Paso Sheriff’s Department Community Planning Committee, El Paso Symphony Guild, Family Service of El Paso (Past President, Past Board of Directors), Greater Texas Community Partners, Junior League of El Paso, Texas A&M El Paso Aggie Mothers and Ring of Honor Mothers, and Westside Girls Softball. Additionally, she was a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association, National Association of Elementary School Principals, the District Educational Improvement Council, and additional leadership teams. Suzie was honored by President George H. Bush in the Rose Garden at the White House in 1991 in recognition for her work with Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

After retiring as an elementary school Principal in El Paso I.S.D. in 2016, Suzie dedicated her time to pursuing other passions. Suzie loved painting and creating repujado art with her dear friends. She delighted in traveling the world alongside her loving husband Jim and spending time together in Alto, New Mexico. Suzie participated in the El Dedon Verde Garden Club (Past President), Junior League of El Paso (Sustainer), the El Paso Country Club Nine Hole and Eighteen Hole Golf Groups, and Craft Club. Suzie’s faith, family, and friends were the pillars of her happiness. She was loved beyond measure and her beautiful life will forever be cherished. Suzie is survived by her husband Jim, children Kathleen “Kathy” Bartlett (Jeremy) of Leander, Texas, James Schwitters II (Dana) of Sarasota, Florida, and Valerie “Val” Presgraves (Joshua) of Slatington, Pennsylvania. Suzie is also survived by five adored grandchildren, Madison, Vera, and Kylie Schwitters of Sarasota, Florida, and Juliana and Katelyn Bartlett of Leander, Texas. She is also survived by her dear sisters Rozella Hernandez (Edward) of Austin, Texas, Lynda Pouria (Albert) of Lubbock, Texas and numerous loving nieces, nephews, and other family members.

A Visitation will be held on Monday, March 11, 2024 at Sunset Funeral Home West, 480 N. Resler, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the Rosary to commence at 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 400 W Sunset Rd at 11:00 a.m. The Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m., at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave.

In honor of Suzie’s lifelong dedication to children and her desire to provide them with the advantages of higher education, we kindly request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Suzanne “Suzie” Schwitters Fine Arts Scholarship fund at the El Paso Community Foundation at

 www.epcf.org/schwitters

 or to the Junior League of El Paso at

https://www.jlep.org/

by selecting the Suzie Schwitters Memoriam category. Services are entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes- West, 480 N. Resler Dr. El Paso, Texas 79912.