Susanna Asenso, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, left us peacefully on January 7, 2025, at her home in Palo Alto, California, at the age of 89.

Susanna was born on February 2, 1935, in Mampong, Ghana, where she dedicated much of her life to the service of others. As an educator in Ghana, she worked tirelessly to teach school-aged children, often going above and beyond to ensure that even those who could not afford an education had access to learning. She was known to offer free lessons to those children, many of whom would later immigrate to the U.S. and Europe, carrying with them the legacy of her kindness and dedication.

A woman of strength, faith, and grace, Susanna was the embodiment of a Proverbs 31 woman. Her love for her family and community was evident in everything she did. She later emigrated to the United States, initially settling in Los Angeles, before making her home in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was here that she met and married her late husband, Professor Kwaku Asenso, with whom she raised a family in Oakland and East Palo Alto.

Susanna was a master seamstress, known for her exceptional craftsmanship in creating handmade turbans. She became a prolific businesswoman, selling her turbans door-to-door to women across Oakland, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Francisco, and San Jose. Her turbans were coveted by many, and her unique ability to connect with others made her business a resounding success. She had a “special sauce” that made her turbans fly off the shelves, a testament to her skill and the love she poured into every piece.

In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Susanna worked in retail at Kmart in Redwood City and Ross Stores in Palo Alto, where she served her community for over a decade.

She is survived by her two sons, John and Joseph Asenso, daughter-in-law Bridget Okeefe-Asenso and grandchildren Jason Asenso, Josh Asenso and Jalina Asenso and numerous nieces and nephews across New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Susanna was preceded in death by her mother Yaa Mensah and father Kofi Appiah and husband, Professor Dr. Kwaku Asenso with whom she shared a loving and enduring partnership for many years.

Susanna lived a life of deep faith, compassion, and resilience. She touched the hearts of countless people, and her legacy will live on in the lives she changed, the lessons she taught, and the love she shared.

Let us celebrate the long and fruitful life of this remarkable woman, whose strength and love will never be forgotten. May her soul rest in peace, and may we all be inspired by the extraordinary example she set.

Let us celebrate the long and fruitful life of this remarkable woman, whose strength and love will never be forgotten. May her soul rest in peace, and may we all be inspired by the extraordinary example she set.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” ‭‭

-Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬