Susan J Freeman

Susan J. Freeman, 66, of Granville, was born January 28, 1955 and died December 15, 2021. She was born in Painesville, Ohio to the late Ernest and June Vastyan. Susan married Chip in 1975, and they spent 46 years in a wonderful marriage filled with love, laughter, children, and grandchildren. Susan and Chip are the parents of Julie (George), Chris (Vallie), Laura (Canon), and Dave (Lea). Grammy was the proudest Grandmother of Anna (11), June (9), Harper (9), Sophia (9), Freeman (7), Brant (6) and Gideon (4).

Susan grew up surrounded by her big brother, Jim, a beloved foreign exchange sister, Nena, and many close cousins and friends. Her dad instilled a love for Cleveland in her, the city and the baseball team (she never missed a game). Following high school, she attended the College of Wooster as a religion major. It was here where she met the love of her life, Chip. After they married, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Ohio Wesleyan. In 1977, Chip and Susan fell in love with Granville and moved there to begin a life filled with close friendships and many community activities. She was an active member and leader in the First Presbyterian Church, a member of the local PEO chapter, and a huge supporter of the Granville public school system.

Susan’s focus in her life was her children. Chip thought she was kidding when early in their marriage, Susan said that she wanted ten kids. They settled on four, and her goal was to raise children who would make a difference in the world. Her motto in parenting was “you’re only as happy as your saddest kid.” She didn’t live to make her children happy, but instead raised them to be hard working and empathetic. As a grandma, she adopted more of the “fun Grammy” mentality. She spent her time with her grandbabies dancing in the kitchen, teaching them how to knit, and going on beach walks first thing in the morning.

Susan and Chip developed a deep love of northern Michigan and made it a significant part of their family life, spending summer vacations there in the early years and more significant time there as their children were grown. Susan had deep love of nature, and spent time every day outside, at the lake, and enjoying Michigan sunsets, which were a “can’t miss” and non-negotiable.

Susan’s religion major was not for nothing. Her faith ebbed and flowed over the years, as she learned more about humanity and watched the world change around her. Her “bottom line” in her faith journey was that God is Love. Susan was fiercely intellectual and always sought to expand her perspective and range of understanding. She met family and friends where they were, and was that unique, selfless, individual that never demanded or imposed with respect to her beliefs. She enjoyed conversation – difficult and otherwise – and her guidance and wisdom were always welcomed by her family and friends.

The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 P.M. at First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway, Granville. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, December 18, 2021 also at the church with Rev. Karen Chakoian as celebrant. Private interment will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery, Granville.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Susan Freeman to The Leelanau Conservancy, P.O. Box 1007, Leland, MI 49654. https://leelanauconservancy.org/donate/

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com.