Susan Alexandra Raffo
August 23, 1956 - September 5, 2017
Susan Alexandra Raffo passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.
Susan was born in Lawton, Oklahoma. In her youth, she lived in Japan, Virginia and in her beloved Dallas, Texas. She attended Ursuline Academy of Dallas, where she was a proud member of the class of 1974. Following graduation, she attended Santa Clara University in California, where she received a degree in Business in 1978, followed by 2 Masters degrees from Golden Gate University. Her work career started at Optimum Systems Inc., followed by key financial positions with Tandem Computers, Syntex Pharmaceuticals, Syva, Cisco Systems, Inc., Cisco Capital and the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County. Her most cherished role was her final one as Chief Financial Officer of Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton.
She was a founding member and President of the Ursuline Academy of Dallas Foundation in its early years. She served on the Board of Community Kids to Camp, was a hospice volunteer, advisor to many other local nonprofits and individuals to mentor and help them reach their potential. She was currently serving as Chair of the Oakwood Advisory Board for the Religious of the Sacred Heart and was proud to have been appointed recently to the Board of Ursuline Academy of Dallas. She was devoted to the Ursuline sisters and the Religious of the Sacred Heart.
While at Santa Clara University, she met her devoted husband Robert. They were married for 34 years and were inseparable. In addition to Robert, Susan is survived by her brotherin-law and sister-in-law Lawrence and Susan K. Raffo (Burlingame), her brotherin-law Richard Raffo (San Mateo), her adored nephew, Timothy Raffo (Danielle) and his children Chase and Piper (South San Francisco), her beloved niece Kathleen Raffo (San Carlos), her sister Mary Hayes and cousins and other extended family. Her parents, Lincoln Hayes and Agnes (Markovitch) Hayes predeceased her. She is also survived by all of her devoted friends in the Bay Area, from Dallas, her community at Sacred Heart and all of those who she touched by her kindness, love and ever-present humor.
Visitation service begins at 6pm followed by a Memorial Rosary at 7pm on Friday, September 22nd at Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s, 977 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo. A Memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will be held 10am on Saturday, September 23rd at Harmon Auditorium, Sacred Heart Schools, 150 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton. Inurnment at Gate of Heaven in Los Altos.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the following in Susan’s memory will be appreciated: Ursuline Academy of Dallas Foundation (to the Agnes Mary Hayes Endowment Scholarship), 4900 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229; Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton, Endowment for Financial Aid, 150 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027; or Oakwood Retirement Center, 140 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton, CA 94027.