Obituary

Susan Kay “Soozie” McBroom was welcomed into heaven with open arms on December 31st, 2022.

Soozie was born on September 10, 1946 in Ottumwa, Iowa and moved to Des Moines when she was three. She was a proud North High Polar Bear and University of Iowa Hawkeye, where she was a “straight arrow” and member of Pi Beta Phi. In 1968 she married the love of her life, Mike McBroom, enjoying fifty one incredible years together. Her decades of community service were book cased by years as an award winning educator both early and late in her Golden Apple career.

Soozie was the quintessential superwoman. She starred as mother, teacher, volunteer and played supporting roles as photographer, chef, tennis player, swim instructor, margarita lover, rope jumper, and energizer bunny. She was always neat as a pin reflecting her French Way history. She was a collector of speeding tickets and only avoided them when parked in a fast food drive thru. She was the queen of F-U-N and the creator of Des Moines’ best themed events. Soozie had a costume for every occasion and a closet that would be the envy of every motion picture costumer. Some of her food was fake but her energy and love of life was not.

Soozie had endless accomplishments and won countless awards. The most coveted being the state of Iowa’s Golden Apple teaching award. She was also proud of being named Business Record's "Woman of Influence". Soozie was a lifelong board member and fund raiser for Variety, The Children's Charity. She received Variety’s "Sunshine Award" as well as the Presidential Citation. She loved being a board member for the Des Moines Community Playhouse and Hollywood Halloween was a favorite for her creativity. Soozie spearheaded Restoration Ingersoll in 1998 and oversaw the development and implementation of the multi-million dollar Ingersoll Avenue Streetscape Project. There she was President of the Board of Directors for 20 years, retiring in 2022. A profound example of her inventiveness is ChildServe’s Bubble Ball. Soozie was the mastermind behind this themed runway event that has now raised over $3.5 million for children with special needs.

Soozie was preceded in death by her parents Marge and Harold Galloway of Ottumwa, Iowa; her brother in law Max McBroom of Urbandale, Iowa; and her husband Mike McBroom of Des Moines, Iowa. She is survived by her daughter, Micki McBroom, son, Matt McBroom, brother in law Dave McBroom, brother Rich (Kathy) Galloway all of Des Moines, Iowa; sister Connie (Roland) Griffith and brother Bill (Angela) Galloway of Kansas City, Missouri; sister Tami (John) Rossignol of Newark, Ohio; sister-in-law, Dianne (Jim) McBroom of Urbandale, Iowa; Sid (Lucy) Berrone of Torino, Italy; Luca (Margaret) Berrone of Booneville, Iowa.

Of the numerous significant events and honors Soozie received, the most important were her two children Micki and Matt. She was a mother and wife first, and that will be her proudest legacy. Forever on the buzz, b-u-z-z!

An immense thank you to Dr. Kevin Cunningham, Dr. Tom Buroker and Dr. Angela Dispenzieri for their years of dedicated care.

In lieu of flowers, remembrance gifts may be made to Soozie’s immediate family (5570 S. Prairie View Dr., Unit 201, West Des Moines, IA 50266). Memorial contributions in Soozie’s honor may be sent to Variety, The Children’s Charity, The Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand, or ChildServe.

A themed celebration of life will be announced at a later date.


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