Mrs. Suzanne B. Freye's Obituary
Suzanne B. Freye, age 77, of Roanoke, VA and formerly of Norton Shores, peacefully departed this life on December 28, 2017. Born March 30, 1940, to William and Leona Bachman, Suzanne was a native of Grand Rapids. She graduated from Central High School in 1958 and received her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Michigan in 1962. She worked for the Social Security Administration and was also a copy proofreader for a local publishing house. Suzanne met her future husband, Herb, while in junior college, and they were married on February 15, 1964. Their first daughter, Karen, was born in 1967, followed by Kristin in 1972. Suzanne took great pride in being a mother, wife and caregiver for the family. Her hobbies included crafts and a love of nature; she was also a talented cake decorator. She was a wonderful baker of Christmas cookies and took great joy in keeping family traditions alive. Sue loved her grandchildren with devotion. When they were sick with fevers and needed a hand to hold or a washcloth for their forehead, she was there. She made the best after school snacks and was always coming up with creative ways to play and learn at the same time. She mastered the art of being a grandmother and even in her last days would expend her limited energy to ask her grandchildren about their latest adventures. She did many things well, but her legacy is one of unending devotion to her family. Sue was survived by her daughters, Karen Diane (Thomas) Ellexson and Kristin Laura Freye Benson; grandchildren, Sarah Fleener and Rylan Ellexson; sisters, Mary (Bill) Thompson and Joan Atwell; brothers-in-law, Robert Karl (Jean) Freye, Daniel Louis (Gloria) Freye and Doug Bartrand; as well as numerous cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, Herbert L. Freye; her parents, William and Leona; and her sister-in-law, Carol Bartrand. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 10 at 11AM at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100.
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