Sue grew up in Middletown, Ohio and graduated from Muskingum College. She attended graduate school at the University of Kentucky and later finished her MSW degree at Grand Valley State University.
Her social work career involved public welfare in Hamilton and Columbus Ohio. Her extensive community service included work for a homeless shelter in Washington, DC, the Congressional Select Committee on Aging and the Center for Women in Transition in Holland where she served as interim director. She ended her career as Director of the FOCUS/SOAR program at Hope College and as a teacher of a successful Freshman Seminar. Wisely counseling a significant number of athletes earned her a varsity letter upon retirement.
Susan was most proud of her work for Civil Rights both in Columbus and Lexington, Kentucky. For over 40 years she attended and had leadership roles at the First Presbyterian Church in Holland where she served as a deacon. More recently she attended Unity on the Lakeshore church where she reveled in the love, acceptance and compassion of that congregation.
All who met her on various boards and committees knew her for her ready smile and her caring concern for the welfare of others. Since the time she was 12 her motto came from a message she saw on a New England Gravestone that said, “She done what she could”. Thus, she tried to live in accord with Emily Dickenson’s poem, “If I have helped one fainting Robin into its nest again, I shall not have lived in vain.”
Her survivors include her husband of nearly 66 years, Donald and two sons, David of Holland and Brian (Heidi) of Ann Arbor, brother Sam (Joyce) Bell of Hudson, Ohio and two nephews, two great nephews and a great niece.
Cremation has taken place. The burial will be in the columbarium at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, with a service later this summer. An informal celebration of her cheerful spirit will be held at Freedom Village (auditorium) on Saturday, April 18 at 9:30 am and presided by Reverend Cathy Hoop.
Memorial gifts may be made to Muskingum University (Development Office, 260 Stadium Drive, New Concord, Ohio 43762) or Hospice of Holland (270 Hoover Blvd., Holland, MI 49423)
Comments