Susan E. Fitzpatrickof Albion formerly of DeWittSusan E. Fitzpatrick age 68, of Duck Lake/DeWitt (formerly of Lansing) passed away Saturday, June 17th following a brief but mighty battle against leukemia. She was born on November 8, 1948 the only child and cherished daughter of Keith and Dorothy (Simons) Gunthorpe who preceded her in death. Sue graduated from Lansing Everett High School, Lansing Community College, and Northwood University.  For years she was a traditional housewife-with a twist.  Shy Susan somehow sold Shaklee, Tupperware and usually had some type of side gig while being an active volunteer mom for Heidi & Troy's school and classrooms.   Sue returned to work outside of the home following her divorce developing lasting friendships with co-workers from Schafer's, Lawyer's Title, and finally Sav-A-Lot Corporate Offices in St. Johns.  She retired a few years ago, and it suited her well. In 2001 Sue married the long -time apple of her eye, Curt Fitzpatrick and added three "bonus" adult kids to her family- Joe, Stacy, and Mark Fitzpatrick.  Since retirement Sue looked forward to spending every Tuesday and Thursday with her gal pals at the Charlotte pool for water aerobics and fun.  A favorite past time was traveling with Heidi, her friends, grandsons, and Curt- when she could get him out of Calhoun County!   A rabid, I mean avid MSU fan, she could give you a play by play of the last football or basketball game.  Being a grandma brought her tremendous joy; she never tired of cheering on Wyatt, Travis, and Devin at their games.   Nothing made her happier than sole control of the remote, having her sweet companion Sadie by her side while reading a book, chatting for hours on the phone, keeping connected on Face Book, acquiring a great yellow or black dot sale deal at Younker's, going to a show, out for a steak dinner or ice cream, checking out a craft sale, baking up a storm, spending time on the pontoon at Houghton Lake, or simply taking a Sunday drive with Curt. Susan is survived by her husband Curt; son Troy VanWagner; daughter Heidi VanWagner (grand dogs: Ollie and Sully); 3 step-children, 12 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; several cousins, treasured friends, extended family as well as her beloved biological family. Heidi and Curt would like to extend their gratitude to Sparrow Hospital staff including Dr. Ely, Dr. Ali-Ahmad, the nurses, respiratory therapists and others working on the 5th Floor (her "luxury" suite) as well as those in the ICU.    A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 23, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Burkhead-Green-Kilgo Funeral Home, 206 W. Lawrence Ave., Charlotte. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5-8 PM at the funeral home. Those desiring may make contributions in Susan's memory to the Capital Area Humane Society. To view Susan's obituary online or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.burkhead-greenfuneralhome.com.