Suzanne Marie Kirchen of Parma, MI passed away peacefully in their home on Saturday, March 27, 2021. She was the daughter of Dorothy (Rohweder) Maule and Harvey Seegert, born October 20, 1943 in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Sue is survived by her loving husband of 32 years, William (Bill) Kirchen; six children, Jennifer Strader, Joel (Elaine) Strader, Polly (Brian) Wiedoff, Peter Strader, Emily Angell, and Elizabeth Ketcham; nine grandchildren, Zoel, Sylvia, Logan, Aidan, Cassidy, Elijah, Walter, Aley, and Velouria; and three sisters, Sallie (Terry) Saunders, Sandi Seegert, and Sarah (Gaylord) Lincoln. Sue spent a majority of her career as both a bookkeeper and business owner. Most recently running The Bakers Shoppe of Leslie with Bill.
She was an avid gardener, animal lover and artist. Her gardens displayed an impressive daylily collection of over 90 cultivars. She spent hours organizing pictures of each flower in a binder for reference. She planned and placed plants appropriately to attract butterflies and beneficial bugs. She rescued praying mantids, frogs, and any other creature that she found stranded in her pool: pulling them out one by one. She loved to bird watch and made sure her feeders were full. She would ring a bell so the crows knew the food was ready for them. She raised sheep and spun their wool into yarn organized in bags by their names. She cherished her dog and cats who kept her company as she moved around the house. She had a way with animals, they seemed to intrinsically trust her. She once joked that there was a neon sign on her front lawn. One that only stray animals could see. It said welcome. Sue was also an extraordinary painter. The walls of her home and business were covered from top to bottom with portraits of her family, which she would spend countless hours perfecting. She had an eye for detail and was particular about color. So much so that a local paint store had to create new colors for her, such as Sue Blue and Sue Green. She knew how to make a beautiful space. She always wanted to share her favorite things with loved ones, encouraging gardeners to garden and budding artists to draw and paint. She was an inspiration to everyone around her, modeling great strength, creativity, and generosity. Sue was a strong-willed and creative woman who never stopped fighting. She is survived by a large family and a legacy of compassion.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life will be held at the Watson Funeral Chapel in Jackson on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 1:00pm with Father Tim MacDonald officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Center at St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital or Cascades Humane Society.
The family will receive friends at the Watson Funeral Chapel in Jackson from 12:00pm until the time of service.
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