Obituary: Susan June Smith, 84, of Ludington

Susan Smith

Obituary: Susan June Smith, 84, of Ludington

Susan June Smith (Sue), a resident of Ludington, formerly of Sault Ste Marie, Mich., passed away on March 3, 2024, at the age of 84. Although Sue’s departure was sudden and unexpected, she passed away in peace, surrounded by family and love. Born on October 26, 1939, to Russell and June Brady in Detroit, she spent her formative years in Sault Ste Marie and graduated from Loretto Catholic High School in 1958. Susan married Ronnie Denis Smith on December 13, 1958, whom she met while he was stationed with the US Coast Guard in Sault Ste. Marie.

After residing in Lake Orion, and Judsonia, Ark., Sue and Ron settled in Ludington, where Ron worked on the pumped storage project. Susan dedicated over 30 years to driving a school bus for Ludington Area Schools, continuing as a substitute even after retirement. Additionally, she contributed her time to the family business, Vacation Station RV Park, warmly welcoming vacationers and preparing delicious pancake breakfasts.

Susan was an active member of St. Simon Catholic Church, engaging in Lenten fish fries and Eucharistic adoration. She immersed herself in various community activities including the garden club, community choir and quilting club. Sue also enjoyed volunteering at White Pine Village and the Lakeshore Food Club.

Renowned for her quilting expertise, Sue handcrafted quilts for each of her descendants and excelled as a seamstress, sewing garments and crafting special items for her loved ones. In addition to making most of her children’s clothes in their adolescence, she also made wedding dresses for her daughter and daughters-in-laws, along with Halloween costumes for grandkids and had a hand in many other memorable garments like formal dresses and suits. She cherished attending her grandchildren’s dance performances, academic achievements, and sporting events, demonstrating her unwavering support and love. She loved her grandchildren and most recently, her young great-grandchildren. Sue was also an exceptional baker. Her Christmas cookies and treats were eagerly anticipated by family and friends each year. Her legacy of love and dedication left an indelible mark on her family and friends. If the quality of one’s life is measured in the strength of their familial bonds and friendships, then Sue truly led an exceptional life. She was close to old high school friends, her church community, her grandchildren and their spouses, and even into her later years was still making beautiful memories with her great-grandchildren.

Susan is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ronnie Smith; children: Karen and Ken Fles, Jeffrey Smith, Gerald and Diane Smith, Kevin and Meryl Smith; crandchildren: Nathaniel Smith and Anna Epstein, Lauren and Christopher Sawson, Guy Smith, Marianna Smith Mutabchi and Rawaz Mutabchi, Evan Smith, and Sawyer Smith; creat-grandchildren: Jeremiah Epstein, Evelyn Epstein, and Cohen Sawson; siblings: Russell Brady, Ann Haydon, John Brady, and George Brady, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, June Brady, father Russell Brady, and brother Michael Brady.

A Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. at St. Simon Catholic Church in Ludington, with Rev. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr. presiding. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Lakeshore Food Club or The Mason County Historical Society’s Historic White Pine Village.

Please share your fond memories of Susan at www.OakGroveLudington.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington.