Susan Jane (Morrison) Van Dyck, 78, died Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, of complications arising from Alzheimer’s.
She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Florian Van Dyck, of Egg Harbor. Susan is also survived by her five children, Mitchell, Amy, Laura (Sid Glenn), Todd and Ward (Gillian Morrison); their father, Miles W. Morrison; and her seven grandchildren, Madeline, Sidney and Jessica (Glenn), Gage, Davis and Tate (Morrison), and Tyler (Morrison). Susan is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth (Gary) Hill, of Green Bay, and many nieces and nephews.
Born on Jan. 28, 1935, in Green Bay, Susan was named after her grandmother, Susan Doyle. Born at only 2 pounds, 12 ounces, Susan came into the world a fighter, defying all odds. Susan was the oldest of five children, growing up a “social butterfly” and studied to be a journalist or writer. She attended St. Mathew’s grade school, Washington Junior High and East High School (1953) in Green Bay. As a child, her favorites were the book “Black Beauty,” the color blue and daisies, and there wasn’t a Kroll’s hamburger she didn’t love.
She married Miles W. Morrison on April 14, 1956, and raised her five children in Rochester Hills, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. While raising her children, she obtained her undergraduate and master’s degree from Oakland University. Susan taught English and was a counselor at West Junior High School in Rochester Hills, Mich., where her children attended school. Her passion was education, and she was always proud that all five of her children graduated from college and some continued on to graduate school.
Susan’s interests included crafting (making baskets, floral arrangements, knitting, and teddy bears) and spending time with her friends and family. Susan loved to travel and took both national and international trips with her husband, Van. Susan owned homes in many different places at one time or another; living in Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Michigan, Wisconsin and California, sometimes simultaneously. Susan was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, attended games and hosted many football parties to celebrate her team and familial ties with the organization. Her grandfather, Andrew Turnbull, was one of the “Hungry Five” and founders of the Green Bay Packers.
Susan was a devout Catholic and member of Stella Maris Catholic Church in Egg Harbor. She went to Mass nearly every day of her adult life in whatever location she was, including Mexico and Europe. Her legacy of her love for God and her children continues.
Susan was predeceased in death by her parents, Janet Mary Turnbull Schneiderman and Ward Oliver Gage; her brothers, David Gage (survived by Sherry McNally), Michael Gage (survived by Patty Gage) and Henry Schneiderman (survived by Rhonda Schneiderman).
Services were held Dec. 14, 2013, at the Allouez Catholic Cemetery & Chapel Mausoleum, 2121 Riverside Drive, Green Bay.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to an Alzheimer’s charity of choice. Suggested charities include Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org.
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