Susan Mary Payne

All who knew Susan Payne would agree that she was one of the sweetest people around. She was gentle and gracious with a desire to serve others, which inspires us to think of others more than ourselves. Susan was a devoted mother who deeply loved her children, yet she just may have argued that becoming a grandmother was the role she had been waiting her entire life for. She taught us that there is little value found in what we have, but that it is in blessing others that we ourselves are richly blessed. Taken from her loved ones much too soon, Susan will be deeply missed while the memories she leaves behind will remain lasting treasures in the hearts and lives of those who follow her.

The 1950s were a great time to be an American. The end of WWII ushered in the baby boom, which caused an explosion in the construction industry as families were looking for homes in which to raise their busting clan. This was the decade that witnessed the addition of our 49th and 50th states and with our introduction to television shows like I Love Lucy and Lassie our view of the American family was forever changed. Nestled within this colorful time was the year 1955 that was greeted with great anticipation for a young couple from Detroit, Michigan, as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child. Their wait was over on May 29th when the baby girl they named Susan Mary drew her first breath. She was the oldest of four children born to her parents, Charles and Onda Payne, and she was raised in the family home alongside her younger siblings, Mary, Nancy, and John. Susan’s father worked in the construction industry while her mother focused her attention at home as a wife, mother, and homemaker.

For the most part Susan experienced an upbringing that was reflective of the times. She spent the majority of her formative years in the Detroit area, attending local schools. When she was just 16 years old Susan played her guitar at local coffeehouses and also performed in her school’s talent shows. She went on to graduate from St. Mary’s of Redford High School. From there she went on to earn her associate’s degree in education.

With her education behind her, Susan was poised for a very rewarding career. She taught young preschoolers through the headstart program in Redford. Susan was later the director of the childcare program for Redford Schools. Equipped with great wisdom, she wrote a column in a monthly paper, Redford Connection, about parenting. Most recently Susan had been working as a waitress.

Although her work was an essential part of her life, there was nothing more important to Susan than her family. She was blessed to be a mother to seven wonderful children: Christie, Jeffrey, Kelly, Colleen, Kate, Charlie, and Kevin. The times Susan treasured most were spent with her family. They camped up North frequently while her children were growing up, and there were also memories made on “Mud Day” in Livonia every year. Susan was an extraordinary hostess who held cooking parties, chili cook-offs, and Cinco de Mayo gatherings that everyone looked forward to. In fact, Susan was always looking for any reason to entertain, and holidays always gave her a chance to go all out. Later in life she was overjoyed to become the grandmother to thirteen grandchildren including Tabitha, Michael, Jacob, Brionna, Nathan, Lydia, Jason, Dakota, Katy, Tommy, Tyler, Bella, and Eva, and baby Francesca who is on the way.

Susan’s nurturing spirit extended far beyond her own family. She often helped the homeless with food and other necessities, and Susan was also a regular volunteer at various soup kitchens. It should come as no surprise to those who knew Susan that she also cared for two young homeless pregnant women, providing them with food and shelter in her own home both during their pregnancies and after their babies were born.

In her leisure time Susan was one to keep busy, living an active lifestyle as time and her health allowed. She was an avid reader who read whatever she could get her hands on, and since she could get through a book quickly her reading repertoire was extensive. Knowing the importance of being in good health, she was also one to exercise on a daily basis.

With a heart that beat to love others, Susan Payne made a significant impact in the lives of those too numerous to count. She was lively with a vibrant personality and a smile that was always at the ready. Susan had a way of bringing out the best in everyone and could make others feel special in their own unique way. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Susan created a lifetime of precious moments shared with those she held most dear. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

Susan Mary Payne died on March 28, 2013. Susan’s family includes her loving children, Christie, Jeffrey, Kelly, Colleen, Kate, Charlie, and Kevin; grandchildren, Tabitha, Michael, Jacob, Brionna, Nathan, Lydia, Jason, Dakota, Katy, Tommy, Tyler, Bella, Eva, and one more on the way, Francesca; siblings, Mary, Nancy, and John; parents, Charles and Onda; and several nieces and nephews, and friends. Family will receive friends at Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home 30200 Five Mile (btn Merriman and Middlebelt) Monday 4-9 p.m. and Tuesday 1-9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday 10:30 a.m. at St. Valentine Catholic Church. Instate 10:00 a.m. until Mass begins. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Donations can be made in her name to RTL.org. Please sign the guest book at www.lifestory.net.com.