Born in Paris, France to American parents, she grew up in the DC area. Retz studied architecture at Case Western Reserve University, and went on to become a practicing architect for nearly forty years. When she retired she moved with her husband, Chuck Lovett, to Franconia, where she was drawn to the art community. She has studied drawing, painting, felting and clay at the Littleton Studio School, and has exhibited her work there, as well as at Ammonoosuc Community Health Services, Cold Mountain Café in Bethlehem and Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Susan is active in her New Hampshire community through Moose Track Studio, where she paints, in watercolors, oil and acrylics; the Littleton Studio School, White Mountain Garden Club and WREN, where she is a member of the Board of Directors.