Susan F. ‘Sue’ (Leadbetter) McCarthy

She was born on May 26, 1942, in South Bend, Ind., daughter of Arthur T. and Mary F. (Regan) Ruppe. After graduating from St. Mary’s Academy High School in South Bend, she furthered her education at Xavier College, Chicago and earned her bachelor’s degree at Northern Michigan University.

In 1961, Susan married John S. “Jack” Leadbetter in South Bend, Ind. They shared over 20 years of marriage and together raised four children.

They moved to Marquette in 1969 where she owned and operated Lighthouse Christian Bookstore and Mole Hole Gift Store. She was Director of Volunteers at St. Mary’s hospital Marquette for many years. She retired in 1990 due to her health. Susan was also a Girl Scout leader, helped with Job’s Daughters and was a wonderful hockey mom. In her earlier years she enjoyed flower gardening, camping, traveling and playing cards. In her later years she loved reading, art and studying different religions.

Sue enjoyed and looked forward to her annual visits to Bay Cliff Health Camp where she attended Camp Independence for many summers. She especially loved the cribbage tournament and meeting her camp counselor.

Susan courageously lived with multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder. She moved to St. Jude Adult Foster Care, Escanaba in 1997. She received wonderful care there until her health further declined. In 1999 she moved to Bishop Noa Home. The aides, nurses, staff and Sisters became her Bishop Noa family as they lovingly cared for her for nearly 20 years.

Sue’s daughter, Francie, made her mother’s nursing home life fulfilling by taking her on adventures, visiting nearly daily, finding gadgets to help with her limitations and loving her with an enormous heart. Her siblings will be forever grateful for all Francie did to create normalcy for Mom.

Survivors include her four children, Ann Marie (Rob) Greenhouse of Lancaster, Calif., Dr. Mary Frances “Francie” (Todd) Myrick of Escanaba, Craig (Tamara) Leadbetter of Marquette/Flint and Sheila Marguerite (Marius) Grazulis of Marquette; father of her children, Jack (Donna Keskimaki) Leadbetter of Marquette; grandchildren, Mary (Larney) Shultz, the expectant mother of the first great-grandchild, John, Sarah, Emily and Katie Greenhouse, Shane, Tyler (Brooke) and T.J. Myrick, Samantha, Drew and Morgan Leadbetter, Daina, A.J., Vejas, and Marius Gazulis; sister, Mary Anne (Dave) Hoover; sister-in-law, Charlotte Ruppe; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Ruppe; nephew David Hoover; niece Mary (Ruppe) Wetzel; former in-laws Jack and Virginia Leadbetter; former brother-in-law Craig and former sisters-in-law Cathy and Barbie Leadbetter.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 30, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The funeral service will follow at 4 p.m. with Deacon Jack Leadbetter officiating.

Burial will be in Gardens of Rest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bishop Noa Home or Bay Cliff Health Camp. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting crawfordfuneralhomes.net.