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Susan Yachcik

February 20, 1970 - February 21, 2012
Alpena, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, February 23, 2012
2:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
McWilliams Funeral Homes
Alpena Location
504 W. Washington Avenue
Alpena, MI 49707
(989) 354-8044
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, February 24, 2012
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM EST
McWilliams Funeral Homes
Alpena Location
504 W. Washington Avenue
Alpena, MI 49707
(989) 354-8044
Driving Directions

Service

Friday, February 24, 2012
11:30 AM EST
McWilliams Funeral Homes
Alpena Location
504 W. Washington Avenue
Alpena, MI 49707
(989) 354-8044
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Katie Yachcik Education Fund
541 Forest Hills Drive
Alpena, MI 49707

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Flowerland Designs
2205 US 23 S., Ste 108
Alpena, MI 49707
(989) 356-9377
Driving Directions
Web Site

Lasting Expressions
204 W. Washington Ave.
Alpena, MI 49707
(989) 356-9372
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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There are defining moments in our lives which give cause for joy as well as great sorrow. In everything, the seasons of life are nonetheless expected, yet some aren't always a welcome fact of life. Susan Yachcik lived the seasons of her life bringing much happiness to those around her. From her birth, she was a blessing beyond compare. Her marriage was a wonderful milestone, but the birth of her daughter was by far her happiest day. Through inner strength, courage, and love of family, Susan taught us much while sharing the last of her life journey. She lived with purpose, loved abundantly, and shared her kind and genuine heart unconditionally. Gone too soon, she will be fondly remembered.

Susan's story began during a chaotic time in the world. The events of the 1960s, including war and social change, were destined to continue through the 1970s. There was growing disillusionment of government, advances in civil rights, and the women's movement was making tremendous headway. There was also heightened concern for the environment, and the space race brought space exploration to new levels. These changes greatly affected the American way of life and introduced America to an entirely new culture. For Daryl and Penny (McFalda) Barton, life was about to take them on a journey all their own when on February 20, 1970, in Alpena, Michigan, they experienced overwhelming love with the birth of their little girl, Susan Rose. Stepping in for her dad while he was in the service, a friendly neighbor man had to drive her mother to the hospital and one would have thought he was actually the one in labor!

Raised in the northern Michigan community of Lachine, Susan's father worked as a snowplow driver for the Alpena County Road Commission. Her mother cared for Susan and her little brother, Daryl, who was three years younger, all while working for retail establishments along with serving as the township treasurer. Life for Susan growing up in rural Lachine was filled with typical childhood adventures. Her home was filled with loving care and memorable times, and she loved her family deeply. As a family, they thoroughly enjoyed being together, especially great times camping.

Susan attended the local schools and with her cheerful disposition, she was a friend to many. She enjoyed singing, swimming, playing outdoor games, sledding down Manning Hill in the cold months of winter, and many sleepovers with girlfriends. Always very close to her Grandma and Grandpa Hillman, she enjoyed spending a great deal of time with them. Even during her youth, Susan's perseverance and "never give up" attitude was evident one time when she fell in the gravel from her bike. She got right back up, and with her bleeding and gravel infested knee she rode her bike the next quarter mile home. To this day, some of the gravel remained imbedded in her knee.

In school, Susan was involved in choir, played on the girl's basketball team and was a member of 4-H. She also had her sights set on a young man in high school who stole her heart. Through mutual friends, Susan met Dennis Yachcik and often hung out around his woodshop class for a chance to get to know him better. They quickly hit it off and before long, were dating. Dennis was taken with Susan's radiant smile and genuine personality. They spent hours opening up to one another and shared common family values.

Susan graduated from Alpena High School in 1988 and worked hard to attain her Associate's degree in Business Administration from Alpena Community College. She soon began working at HPC Credit Union where she served as head teller and as an IRA specialist.

After dating for several years, Susan and Dennis shared vows of marriage on October 6, 1990 at St. Anne Catholic Church. Dennis' relative, Bishop Kenneth Povish performed the ceremony, just as he had for Dennis' parents. Together they worked on providing a good stable home, and their care for each other was based on loving respect and admiration. Their shared family values went into action when they welcomed the blessed birth of their one and only child, Katie. She filled Susan's life with the greatest joy and brought out her nurturing spirit. Katie made Susan's life complete. Devoted to her husband and dedicated to their daughter, there wasn't anything else her heart could ask for. Her signature wink will be long remembered, too. All she had to do was give one of her little winks, and you knew you had her approval. .

Susan maintained her love for singing and was active in the Community Chorus. She loved spending time with Katie scrap booking, and the work they shared doing so will serve as a reminder of Susan's love. She also filled her time as a member of the Thunder Bay Arts Council, and most recently was dedicated and extremely active with the support group, Friends Together. In her quiet time, she loved writing poetry and published several of her pieces. Along with singing and reading, she enjoyed short weekend trips with her daughter, girlfriends, or her husband.

It was easy to love Susan. Throughout life she lived with a grace and poise all her own. A well dressed woman, she was immaculately groomed and possessed a class and style above the rest. Her inner beauty was just as wonderful. Very friendly, her God-given generosity and empathetic nature gave her a willingness to help others. One could see her heartfelt spirit through her radiant smile and sparkling eyes. Whether family or friend, she was always kind and caring towards others. Even as Susan struggled with her own health issues, she was a loving caregiver to her grandma Hillman during her last days.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012 was a defining and poignant moment in Susan's life. At home surrounded by her loving family, her final season came to a close following a courageous battle with cancer. Too soon for those left behind, her purpose, at the age of 42, was complete according to plan. What will be remembered most is her abiding love and the kindness she so freely shared. May those who loved and knew Susan continue to feel her warm embrace and all that made Susan so dearly loved and special throughout the seasons of her life.

Susan is survived by her husband of 21 years, Dennis; daughter, Katie; mother and father, Penny and Daryl Barton of Lachine; brother, Daryl Barton of Alpena; her mother and father-in-law; Phyllis and Melvin Yachcik of Alpena; brother-in-law, Gerald Yackcik of Rhodes; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Rosemary and John Hillman, Naomi and Merritt Barton; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Yachcik.

Friends and family will gather Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 2-8 PM at McWilliams Funeral Home– Alpena and on Friday, February 24, 2012 at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the service begins at 11:30 AM with Fr. Greg McCallum officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Katie’s Educational Fund. Please visit Susan’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or sign her online guest book.

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