- Date Of Birth: January 18, 1950
- Date Of Death: November 22, 2021
- State: Iowa
Susan Marie (McAskin) Costanzo, 71, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away at sunset in hospice on Monday, November 22. She was surrounded by her loving husband of 51 years and her daughters. Susan was born in Highland Park, Michigan in 1950 and moved to Des Moines after marrying Thomas Costanzo in 1970.
While raising her children and running a sewing alterations business, Susan earned a degree from Drake University in Economics. Susan’s business career spanned decades with Principal Financial Group and Sammons Financial Group.
A devoted daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, Susan loved to share her talents with those she met. She was an extraordinary seamstress – a talent learned from her late mother. Susan was known for her embroidered Christmas stockings and making elegant clothing – including both of her daughters’ wedding dresses. She was a proud member of the Central Iowa American Sewing Guild and enjoyed attending chapter events.
Susan was a remarkable cook and hostess, leaving no detail behind in her event planning. Her doorstep deliveries of homemade Italian bread were a Christmas tradition. Susan helped others alter countless pieces of clothing, cooked for her family on a daily basis, and always volunteered at events. Resume writing was a passion for her, and she helped friends and family land new jobs. Susan cherished passing traditions on to her family, had a profound love of all things chocolate, and was a proud Michigan native.
Susan’s radiant smile and genuine care for others will be deeply missed. She never missed sending a card for a special occasion and made everyone feel welcome in her presence.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Wilda McAskin, and her brother, James McAskin. She is survived by her husband, Thomas; daughters Erin (Jeromy) Geiken, and Beth (Shawn) Henze; grandchildren: Mallory, Kynan, and Lauren; four siblings, and fifteen nieces and nephews.
