Susan Gail Blanchard

Susan Gail Blanchard of Okemos, Michigan passed away on July 22, 2014 at home. She was born November 17, 1946 to Ignatius and Alice Motyka in Detroit, Michigan. She is survived by her husband, Gerald W. Blanchard, and her daughters, Kimberly (Eric) Olsen Harbert and Karyn (Eric) Olsen Phillipson, and grandchildren, Katie Phillipson, Brian Harbert, and Jack Phillipson. Also surviving are her brother, David (Cindy) Motyka, and sisters, Linda (Thomas) McLalin and Karen (Paula Warner) Motyka

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Sue graduated from Cass Tech in Detroit and Michigan State University with a Bachelors and a Masters. Sue completed a 37 year career with the Lansing Public Schools, teaching at Woodcreek Elementary School and Forest View Elementary School. Spending time with her grandchildren was rewarding to her, whether involving reading, birthdays, adventures to Disney World or a National Park, or just enjoying their company. Supporting Katie, Brian and Jack in their activities was a priority. No matter where Kim and Karyn would move with their families, Sue and Jerry made multiple trips to see them.

Retiring in 2006, Sue and her husband Jerry were able to add some additional adventures overseas, including Australia, New Zealand, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium, France, Bahamas, Canada and the Netherlands. Sue completed a genealogy quest and found both family farms in Poland, one family farm in Belgium, and the public square of residence of one family, and met the descendants of her great grandparents who lived on each farm.

She enjoyed her longtime friends, reading, gardening, pilates, crossword puzzles, her movie club, discussing politics, her soap operas, and taking walks with her husband and daughters. A terrific organizer, she helped all of us make our lives and homes more beautiful. No one walks through life without making an impression on others, and the family will greatly miss her every day.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the MSU Kellogg Center, East Lansing. If you wish further information or a reminder, please email [email protected].

Donations in Susan Blanchard’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood, 434 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001 (Tax ID Number: 13-1644147) or WKAR Radio and TV-Michigan State University, 404 Wilson Rd, Room 212, Communication Arts & Sciences Bldg., East Lansing, MI 48824-1212 (Tax ID Number: 38-6005984). The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. On line condolences may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.