Dorothy Suzanne Stevenson, age 97, passed away April 7, 2024, from an acute abdominal illness. She was under the loving care of her daughters and Hospice of the EUP at the home of her daughter, Mary Arnott. She was happy to return to the Sault from Florida for her final days, where she was surrounded by most of her family. Thoughts and prayers of many others were greatly appreciated by her and the family.
Suzanne was born March 9, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, and was fondly known as Suzanne or Sue by friends and family. As a young child she moved to DeTour Village, Michigan, where she grew up and then graduated from high school in 1945. She left home at 17 and was employed by Michigan Bell for two years before she met and married Donald Stevenson in March of 1947. Don and Suzanne had three daughters while living on Bingham Street and had one more daughter after building a home on a 20-acre parcel of land on 4 Mile Rd. Ten years later she went to work for Sault Area Schools as a secretary and has been lovingly referred to as the “original working woman” by one of her favorite nieces.
Suzanne was a humanitarian who was involved with many volunteer activities during her lifetime. She always had an interest in helping those less fortunate, such as providing breakfast or warm clothing to the young children who showed up at school without. She was a proud and active member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and enjoyed the elder activities. She was also a longstanding member of the First United Presbyterian Church.
Suzanne and Don enjoyed many winters in Florida, along with fishing, camping, and traveling until Don’s death in 2007. She remained extremely active with all her volunteering, traveling and family functions. She was adventurous and was willing to drop whatever she was doing to go someplace or do something. Suzanne was a 4-H leader and taught all her daughters to sew. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, cleaning, and organizing. She was a hard worker and an often repeated saying of hers was, “First we get our work done, then we play.”
Suzanne is survived by daughters, Carol Metro, Janet (Christopher) Hess and Mary Arnott; brother, Donald “Mac” (Eileen) Munro; fourteen grandchildren: Jenny (Bill) Soden, Dewayne Falkenhagen, Scott Falkenhagen, Cory (Jennifer) Metro, Amy (Owen) Bell, Christian (Sara Weber) Hess, Amy (Mark) King, Kevin (Lindsey) O’Neill, Megan (Hugh Madden) Hess, Tyler Hess, Brody Hess, Jessie (Edward) Lytle, Roxie Arnott and Don Arnott; nineteen great-grandchildren, ten great-great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews.
Suzanne was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Don; daughter, Sharyn Steinbach; parents, William “Bill” and Orline Munro; sons-in-law, John Steinbach, Max Metro and John Arnott; great-great grandson, Jett Gravedoni; and brothers, Gerald (Billie) Munro, William “Bid” Munro and Roderick Munro.
“Blessed is he who trusts in the lord” – Proverbs 16:20. She had deep faith and lived by this verse kept on her refrigerator.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 2:30 PM at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens, 15264 M-129, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. A meal will follow the service at the Bruce Township Hall, 3156 E 12 Mile Rd, Dafter, MI. The public is welcome per Suzanne’s wishes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Suzanne’s memory to SAHS Class of 1965 Scholarship Fund; SAHS Class of 1969 Scholarship Fund (both through Chippewa County Community Foundation, 511 Ashmun St, #202, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783); Ball Hospice House (Hospice of EUP), 308 W 12th Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, or to a charity of your choice.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
