Obituary of Susan Darrow Wolf Shults

Susan Darrow Wolf Shults of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away at Clarehouse the morning of March 1, 2023 at the age of 77. Susan was born November 20, 1945, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Jane (née Worthley) Wolf and Argyle Wolf, who was a career officer in the U. S. Navy. Susan attended schools in California and Virginia, graduating from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach in 1963. She attended Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she earned a B.A. degree in political science in May 1967.

Following graduation and a summer touring throughout Europe, she taught political science and history at Whittier Intermediate School in Falls Church, Virginia. She met Porter Shults, a U. S. Navy officer, on a blind date in August 1968. Enjoying a whirlwind courtship, she accepted his marriage proposal on November 6, 1968. Upon his return from a nine-month Vietnam deployment, they were married October 11, 1969, at the Falls Church Presbyterian Church. As Porter completed his military commitment over the next several years, they lived in Mayport, Florida and Key West, Florida, where their son, Ted, was born in 1972.

They moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas in June 1972, where Porter completed his graduate studies; then to Tulsa in June 1974, where Porter began a long career with Ernst & Young. Their son, John, was born in Tulsa in 1975. Subsequent career-related relocations led the family to Bartlesville (1975); back to Tulsa (1977); to Philadelphia (1996); to Tulsa again (2000); to Houston (2002); and finally, retirement in Tulsa (2005). Needless to say, Susan became an expert at creating a welcoming home environment and establishing new friendships!

Remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother, Susan was the rock of the family. Porter’s work schedule frequently took him out of town, and Susan managed a home with two very active sons. In addition, she sometimes served as a substitute teacher in the Jenks Public Schools. She actively participated in the boys’ education, teaching them to read at an early age and leading the PTA. She encouraged their participation in extracurricular activities, including sports and music, and spent countless hours driving them places. Both boys were active in Young Life, and she periodically hosted their small group meetings in the home. She loved being “Mimi” to six grandchildren, especially in connection with holiday and birthday celebrations and family vacations.

Susan had a beautiful smile, an engaging laugh and a kind and generous heart, always being sensitive to the needs of others and ready to lend a helping hand. She loved volunteering at Assistance League of Tulsa, especially when clothing was distributed to school-age children each year during Operation School Bell. She also had a passion for the visual arts and served as a docent at the Philbrook Museum of Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. An avid reader and bridge player, she helped organize a book club and a bridge club among groups of friends who continue to meet and support one another.

Following retirement, Susan and Porter enjoyed travels throughout Europe and the Caribbean, annual visits to Scottsdale and many family beach vacations. In 2013, Susan developed FTD dementia that resulted in a slow, but continuous decline in health over the ensuing ten years. The family sends its thanks to its home healthcare friends at Caring Nurses Association (Merlyn, “Tee”, Cindy, Reton, Rachael, Michelle, Jenny and others), who helped Porter care for Susan over the past five years; and to the staff at Clarehouse and SaintFrancis Hospice Services, who cared for Susan during the last two weeks of February.

Susan was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Her parents and younger sister, Barbara Wolf Cosio, preceded her in death. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 53 years, Porter; her son Ted (Emily) and grandchildren Brianna and Sabrina, of Magnolia, Texas; her son John (Tatiana) and grandchildren Benjamin, Levi, Jesse and Leah, of Vienna, Virginia; and her brother, Richard C. Wolf (Loretta) of Cheyenne, Wyoming.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Tulsa on Wednesday, July 12 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 709 S Boston Ave, Tulsa OK 74119-1609.

Ninde Brookside, 918-742-5556, ninde.com