Susan Jane Edwards' Obituary
Susan Jane Edwards, age 68, of Grand Haven went home to be with Jesus on Monday, September 22, 2014, following a courageous eight-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Sue was born September 16, 1946, to Raymond and Joan (VanZantwick) VanDam in Grand Haven, but she grew up mostly in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. It was there that she met her husband of almost 50 years, Charlie. Job changes caused relocation to New Jersey and Illinois. Sue was always employed in some part of the medical profession and retired from many years at ABC Pediatrics. Her love, patience, and caring for children earned her the title “Grandma Sue”. Sue had a special gift from God of being able to calm the most upset, mad, hurting child with her gentle words and touch.
Sue was a very caring and giving person, especially with her own children and grandchildren. Her selflessness and giving spirit made birthdays and Christmas especially exciting. Sue would do without so her children and grandchildren could get that special gift – the gift that they knew they wouldn’t get because it was hard to find or too expensive. Active in Girl Scouts as an adult leader, Sue served as troop leader for both Brownies and Girl Scouts. She taught cooking, sewing, and painting to her young scouts. Camping was always a joy for her.
Sue was active at St. John’s Lutheran Church, serving as president and then treasurer of the Ladies Aid Society. She enjoyed the Ladies Aid rummage sales, work "bees" with apples and "pigs in a blanket" and helping with funeral luncheons.
When she wasn't involved in her community, Sue enjoyed tackling puzzles of all types, along with a variety of crafts. Much of what she created, or crocheted, was given to cancer patients or to others in troubled times. Creating wonderful family meals was one of her joys. Her desserts were legendary. Sue and Charlie loved to travel in their RV, but Sue’s eight-year battle with ovarian cancer limited those trips somewhat due to chemotherapy treatments. As caregiver for her mother and while fighting cancer, Sue made sure that Mom could travel with her on the RV trips. A trip to Whitefish Point was especially memorable with her mom. Always a country music fan, her last RV trip was to Iowa for a country music festival where she met Toby Keith at a concert. This was one of her happiest memories.
Sue touched the lives of many cancer patients as she batted the disease. Encouraging women from Virginia to Texas to never give up and to trust in God, her spiritual strength was an example to many cancer survivors. Recently, she was a member of the Blue Birds, which is a cancer support group. Sharing her Christian faith with these ladies and encouraging them, her “can do” attitude convinced many cancer survivors to live their lives to the fullest and to never feel sorry for themselves.
She was greatly loved and will be sadly missed. She knows that her Savior lives and that He will bring her to life eternal. “I am but a stranger here, Heaven is my home”.
Sue faced cancer with courage, joy and perseverance and inspired all who knew her. She put up a good fight, but God took her hand and led her home. Her family expresses a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Gordon Downey, Amber and their staff for the eight years of special care she received. A special thank you to Spectrum Hospice, especially her nurse, Suzanne and her aide, Christine, for their wonderful comfort and care.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Charlie; her daughter, Elizabeth (Scott) Vlcek of Aurora, IL; her son, Charles “Chris” Edwards II of Westmont, IL; five grandchildren: Lauren, Addison, Katie, Tyler, and Victoria, and a brother, Alan (Gloria) VanDam of Grand Haven. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Michael VanDam.
The service for Sue will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, October 3, 2014, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grand Haven with Rev. Dieter Haupt officiating. Friends may meet the family 5:00-7:00 PM Thursday, October 2, at VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home in Grand Haven. Interment will take place in Lake Forest Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Sue may be given to the St. John’s Lutheran Church Building Fund. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Grand Haven.
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