Susan Black Obituary

Susan Evaline Black, passed away peacefully in her sleep December 13, 2022. She was 94 years old. Susan was born Nov. 19, 1928 in Waterloo, Iowa to Homer and Hortence Lichty, the third of five children.

The family moved to Glendale, CA when she was two, and then to Phoenix, Arizona, as she was entering high school. Susan attended Phoenix Union High School and Phoenix College.

In 1947, Susan met & married Milton N. Moss. They lived in Phoenix and then Tempe, AZ. To this union, six 6 children were born. They divorced in 1968. At the time, Susan worked at the Arizona State University library and was taking classes in Library Science at ASU.

In 1971, Susan married Leo Black and moved to Cortez, Colorado. They bought land in Hartman Draw and built a home. Susan began working at the Cortez Public Library. She also became a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Susan loved the four seasons and was quite the gardener. Her yard was filled with fabulous flowers throughout the summer.

Susan worked for the Cortez Public Library until her retirement in 1992. Ever the librarian, she then volunteered at her grandchildren's public school libraries, Trinity Lutheran Church library, and helped her good friend Joanie Howland at the Towoac Public Library.

An avid reader, Susan read to her children constantly when they were young. She instilled reading in all of her children and grandchildren, for which they are forever grateful.

Leo died in 2003. After much deliberation, Susan sold the ranch and moved into town. She resumed her gardening with gusto, though on a more manageable scale. Her yard was perfect. She made sure her grandsons kept the grass mowed and trimmed, rewarding them with her famous cheese crisps, and there were always home made cookies in the cookie jar.

Did we mention Susan was a great cook? Her pies were legendary. She loved the holidays & preparing family feasts, and was happiest when all her children and grand children were present.

In 2014, Susan moved back to Arizona to be close to her daughters. She spent 3 years in Wickenburg and then moved to Peoria in 2017.

Susan was preceded in death by her siblings, daughters Susan Ellen Elrod & Mary Kristen Moss and son Milton Timothy Moss. She is survived by daughters Penelope Moss of Wickenburg, AZ and Allison Carey, of Peoria, AZ and son Douglas (Diane) Moss of Toledo, OR. Also, 12 grandchildren and 8 great grand children and 3 great great grandchildren.

Per Susan's request, no services will be held. Her ashes will be interned next to her husband Leo and daughter Kristen in Cortez, CO at a later date.