Our dear friend, Susan Maureen Wilkis, passed away early Monday, March 25, 2024 after a brief but courageous fight against a non-Hodgkin Lymphoma cancer. She was surrounded by a family of “Redcoats” as well as the caring staff at McLaren Hospital helping her through this final journey.
Susan was born October 19, 1947 to John and Betty Marrs. She spent her childhood in Lansing, graduating from Eastern High School and gathering lifelong friends along the way.
She attended Michigan State University ultimately achieving a degree in Journalism and becoming a devoted Spartan. During those years she held a variety of jobs at some of the areas most notable businesses including Knapps, Pretzel Bell and Jacobson’s.
Always a hard worker she still found time to meet the love of her life and future husband Bob (RJ). They were married March 29, 1974 and spent the next 48 years together before Bob’s death in 2022. In the early 80’s, Susan designed the lovely home they shared in Okemos. There they enjoyed many fun times, entertaining friends, celebrating Spartan victories, and as the proud parents of many different Scottish terriers.
Upon graduation from MSU, Susan began a career at Delta Dental working with many departments to implement and support a wide variety of computer-based business solutions. When she retired in 2005 after 25 years, Susan and her team were responsible for development and support of all of Delta Dental’s production processing systems.
In 2006, Susan decided to volunteer in the Sparrow Hospital Gift Shop. She couldn’t have come to Sparrow at a better time. The gift shop was investigating new computer-based cash register systems. With her expertise at Delta Dental, Susan led the team; deciding what system to buy and then heading up implementation and the training of over 300 volunteers. Susan continued as a volunteer for 18 years. Often described as the “lifeline” she willingly worked days, night and weekends, dropping everything to help a volunteer and keep the shop running smoothly.
Susan was well respected by many for her expertise, generosity, patience and kindness. She was an avid supporter of many charities including Toys for Tots, a favorite of her father’s. She was the one to organize a birthday celebration, suggest a group card flurry to support a friend or pick out a baby gift as new grandchildren arrived. She was a good friend to many and will be missed by all.
Susan is survived by her stepmother, Jacqueline Marrs, brother David Marrs (Pam), nephews Troy, Ryan and John; her brother-in-law Skip Wilkis, sister-in-law Margaret Wilkis, niece Lauren Bedford (Ben), nephew Drew Wilkis (Joy), and dear great nieces and nephews, Nate and Kate, Theo and Liv.
A celebration of Susan's life will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM at MSU University Club, 3435 Forest Rd., Lansing, MI 48910.
Susan and Bob planned to establish a scholarship fund at MSU. Those wishing to make a donation now in Susan‘s memory can contact Toys for Tots https://www.toysfortots.org/ or Paws With a Cause in Wayland MI, https://www.pawswithacause.org/
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