Susanne Marie Gibson

Susanne Marie Gibson, known as “Susie” in her youth and “Sue” later in life, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2025 at her home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, surrounded by her two daughters after a brief but valiant battle with cancer.

Born on August 13, 1949, in Niles, Michigan to Adam and Gladys Robertson, Susanne enjoyed a childhood full of adventure, family road trips, outings on her dad’s ski boat, and fun with her many cousins. One cherished story she often told was of her mother bravely scolding off a bear to protect their picnic basket. In high school, Susanne worked at the Ready Theatre in Niles, which was only the start of a lifelong love of movies and, of course, popcorn.

Following her graduation from Niles Senior High School in 1967, Susanne attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, becoming the first in her family to go to college. She worked her way through college, and graduated in 1972, with her Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in linguistics.

Susanne met her future husband, Robert, during her college years while renting at his family’s apartment house near campus. Their love story began when Susanne was attempting to reattach the exhaust pipe of her Chevy Nova with a coat hanger. Robert stepped in to fix it properly and seized the opportunity to ask her out for coffee.

After getting married in 1973, they embraced a life of adventure. Their journeys spanned near and far, from exploring the Midwest by Jeep, seeing Cats on Broadway in New York, and traveling overseas to Italy and Germany. Their biggest adventure was a 3-month trip down the Mississippi River aboard their boat, Hawks Nest. A journey made doubly adventurous with their 2 year old on board.

After Robert’s passing in 1996, Susanne felt she could not again find anyone like him and devoted her focus to their two daughters: Heather and Robin. Susanne continued to create memories for them through camping trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pictured Rocks, Drummond Island and Mackinac Island, usually with a dog or two in tow.

Susanne began working at Kalamazoo College in 1987 as the part-time secretary for the Chemistry and Music Departments. Her career at the college would span more than 30 years and include her roles as the Personnel Manager, and finally the Executive Assistant to the Provost before her retirement in 2018. During her time at K College, she forged many deep and meaningful friendships, particularly her close bond with her dear friend, Carol Kennedy, who was close by until her last day.

Susanne volunteered her spare time to the PTA at the girls’ schools, Girl Scouts Brownie troop, March of Dimes, the United Way, and anywhere else she could make a difference. She was a generous person, always putting others before herself.

Susanne was a lifelong reader, classic movie lover, gardener, excellent baker, pie-maker, and a talented seamstress. However, when asked about her hobbies, she would reply, “my grandkids.” 

She found immense joy in spending time with her grandchildren: Lauren, Nolan, Emma, and Robert Johannes (R.J.); and she welcomed her bonus grandchild, Parker, into the family with love and he embraced her as his own grandma. As “Nana” she enjoyed sharing pool days, baking lessons, attending their games and concerts, board games, trips to the library and bookstores, crafting, holiday meals, and recently taking dictation from R.J. as he authored many inspired sci-fi and fantasy novellas. She loved family trips to Binder Park Zoo to feed the giraffes, her favorite. She was a devoted pet owner and loved her dogs and granddogs. Susanne’s commitment to her family and grandchildren was unparalleled, and her son-in-law Jason described her simply as “the best mother-in-law a man could ask for.” 

Susanne was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Gibson; her parents Adam Jr. and Gladys Robertson; her brother Bradley (Sharon) Robertson; and her sister Priscilla (Jack) Coffinger; Robert’s parents Dr. Robert Loren & Onota Gibson. She is survived by her daughters Heather Crummie (Eric LaForest) and Robin (Jason) Reed; her four grandchildren; her brother-in-law John (Jean) Gibson; and many beloved nieces and nephews and cousins. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or the Binder Park Zoo in Susanne’s memory are preferred. A Celebration of Life will be held this spring at Stetson Chapel.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com/obituaries/susanne-gibson.