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Surrounded by her loving family, Susan Mary Karkoski (LeBlanc) of Adrian, MI passed away on October 29, 2021 at the age of 73, after courageously battling stage four lung and bone cancer. Susan was born in Delray, Michigan on June 11, 1948 to Donald LeBlanc and Bernadette LeBlanc (St. Amant). Sue grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan where she attended Christ the Good Shepard K-8 and Our Lady of Lourdes High School in River Rouge Class of 1967. Sue was on the cheerleading team and a member of the Homecoming Court. She later became the Cheerleading Coach at Dunn School where she coached her daughters. Sue’s greatest accomplishment was raising her 3 children Billy, Jenny and Bridgette in River Rouge. Sue worked for her brother Dr. Ralph LeBlanc at Federal Hill Pediatric Clinic remote as an Administrative Assistant. Sue loved talking on the phone so this was the perfect job for her. She would call her brother Ralph every morning then proceed to call each of her children every day. Sue moved to Tecumseh 15 years ago to be closer to her family. She spent time at her camper at Jado Campground in Irish Hills for rest, relaxation and fun. She loved spending the weekends there with her children, grandchildren and friends. Sue loved to cook, she was famous for her fried chicken, macaroni salad and redskin potato salad. If you came to visit Sue, she was cooking for you. Sue enjoyed vacationing in Florida with her children and grandchildren. Her later life revolved around knowing what each of her grandchildren were doing on a daily basis. Her last trip to Florida was for her grandson’s Nicholas Wedding and great granddaughter Maryelle’s Baptism. She had a blast catching up with family and seeing old friends. Sue’s best friend was Claire Syska who she had been friends with for over 66 years. She was not only a friend but was considered family. Susan was blessed with her 3 children by their caring fathers Robert Bailey and Norman Karkoski. She was preceded in death by: her parents Donald and Bernadette LeBlanc (St. Amant), her brother Jeffrey (Toni), and her brother Paul (Marie). She is survived by son Bill (Liz), daughter Jennifer (Craig) and daughter Bridgette (Michael Jr.); her grandchildren Brittany (Nick), Nicholas (Mary), Alexis, Calie, Emily, Caylan, Camylie, Michael III, Brandon. Her great grandchildren Mariah, Kinslee, Maryelle and was told one more is on the way. Her siblings Pam, Pat, Mike, Ralph (Brian), Mary (Bill), Joanne (Dave) and Jerome. She is also loved by many nieces, nephews and friends. Sue will be remembered by many for her devotion to saying the rosary daily, her unwavering friendships and her love for her children and grandchildren. A Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, November 6, 2021, Holy Family Parish, St. Mary Campus, with Fr. Bob Pienta presiding. Viewing & Visitation will be from 4 pm to 8 pm on Friday, November 5, 2021, at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, 2959 N. Adrian Hwy, Adrian, MI. Susan will also lie in state on Saturday at St. Mary's from 9:30 AM until the time of the funeral mass.. A luncheon will follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of Flowers, the family requests donations be made towards the Hospice of Lenawee in Susan’s name where she spent her final days resting.
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Hospice of Lenawee
1903 Wolf Creek Hwy, Adrian MI 49221
Tel: 1-517-263-2323
Web: http://www.hospiceoflenawee.org/i-would-like-to-give/