Obituaries

Susan Marie Moran (nee Hendrickson) June 19, 1963 - February 9, 2020. Wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, niece, cousin, aunt and a beautiful friend to so many. Our dear Susan passed away February 9 at home, surrounded by her loving family following a courageously fought 2-year battle with cancer. We lovingly thank all those who have supported our family through this difficult time. Throughout her challenge, to the very end, her focus was consistently on preparing others for her absence so that we all would be okay.

Loving wife of Greg for 34 years. Dear mother of Andrew, Molly, Steven, and Jack. Sister of Tom Hendrickson and Beth Davis (Chip). Daughter-in-law of Margaret Moran.

Born on June 19th, 1963 to Thomas and Kathy Hendrickson, Susan graduated from Seaholm High School in 1981, and afterward attended Dorsey Business School. Through mutual friends in 1981, she met Greg “Bugs” Moran, and at the urgings of one friend in particular invited him to a wedding for their very first date. They fell in love and married in 1985, had 4 children and 34 wonderful years together as soulmates.

Susan would always say her greatest accomplishments were the 4 children she raised together with Greg. Her caregiving nature was reflected not only in raising her own beautiful family, but also in the numerous neighborhood children that she treated as her own. Even with a full house she welcomed anybody who needed a place to stay, short or long term. She made a career of nurturing other people - as evidenced by the many faces and families that flowed through the daycare run by her, her mother, and her sister, and her work as a Director and assistant in the Birmingham after school Kids Club program. For many years this passion filled her life with a constant flow of cherished relationships.

During her much too short 56 years Susan can be described by the words kindhearted, generous, loving, nurturing, caregiving, compassionate, graceful, strong, humble, beautiful, smart, supportive, empathetic, crafty, artistic, funny, clever, inclusive and principled. As described by a close friend, Susan was a people collector - she found her life’s greatest pleasure in seeing others happy, and by putting others before herself. Her approach to life was low-drama, easy going and no-nonsense; but she could be and was forceful when required to fight for what was right. She was a compassionate ear for many as an ad-hoc counselor and problem solver. Her circle of friends was wide, and genuinely loved.

Another joy was found in hosting many gatherings over the years, annually for holidays, impromptu get-togethers, and summer events on her enormous and well-planned patio dubbed “the landing strip.” New years celebrations, Halloween, euchre group, patio tailgates and Super Bowl parties remain highpoints of neighborhood memories. Susan made everyone feel welcome with an open-door atmosphere, the more the merrier. Growing up, she and her family regularly vacationed in the UP, and she continued that tradition with her own children. She cherished their annual vacations up north (especially to Curtis) with family and neighborhood friends.

Reading was a lifelong passion, her kindle was regularly filled and emptied, and bookshelves regularly rotated as books cycled through the house from and to family and friends. Like her father Tom, her dry sense of humor sparked spur of the moment laughter in good times and bad, and her awareness of politics and her like of the Bill Maher show, among other sources, made for knowledgeable debates of the “state” of the union.

A talented crafter throughout her life, in recent years she put her creative skills to work on her Cricut to produce works of art that adorn her own home and decorate the homes of many friends. Most recently, her exploration with watercolors reflected that passion and creative talent. Pattern books from throughout the years are filled with her work in coloring and sketches with markers and colored pencils.

Despite her abbreviated time with us, the love she gave, examples she set and the legacy she leaves on the lives she touched will remain constant to those who were fortunate enough to know her.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held on Saturday, February 22nd from 2-8 PM at The Reserve, Birmingham, Michigan, where we welcome all to come and share memories.

Donations if desired can be made in her name to Smile Train, an international children’s charity with a sustainable approach to solving cleft lip and palate issues for children in need around the world. https://my.smiletrain.org/fundraiser/inmemoryofsusanmoran