Susan E. Stampski O'Brien

Susan (Stampski) O’Brien, 41, of Lansing passed away Friday, Oct. 14, after a lengthy battle against cancer, surrounded by her family. First diagnosed with cancer in 2002, Suzi suffered many recurrences of various types of cancer with serene calmness, never complaining, and with courage and a braveness that made her a role model for everyone who knew her. Even in the throes of her illness, she always ensured that the needs of her family were met; she was a wonderful, loving wife and mother. A licensed practical nurse, Suzi was employed for the past 10 years by the Michigan State University Department of Surgery, where she had many close friends, one of whom recently told Suzi she was “the bravest person I know.”

A Lansing native, Suzi was a 1988 graduate of Waverly High School. Prior to joining MSU’s staff, she worked as a court stenographer and as a medical transcriptionist. She is survived by her husband, T. Jerome O’Brien, and her children, Mallory, Brendan and Patrick O’Brien of Lansing; her mother, Jill Ruth Petzinger, and stepfather, Michael Rideoutt, of Williamston; her father, James Russell Stampski and stepmother, Cindy Stampski, of Blanchard; two sisters, Stephanie Lynn McDannel (Chad) of Livona, and Julie Ann Stenger (Gordon) of Holt, an aunt, uncle and cousins; along with several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be celebrated Monday, October 17, 2011, at 12:00 noon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 3815 S. Cedar Street, Lansing. The family will receive friends Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. at the church with a Rosary starting at 7 p.m. The family is being served by the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Hospice of Lansing, 4052 Legacy Parkway, Suite 200, Lansing, Michigan 48911, in memory of Susan O’Brien.