Mary SusAnn Willaert, age 90, of Saline, MI, passed away at StoryPoint Saline Assisted Living under the care of CorsoCare Hospice. She was born on May 22, 1935, in Monroe, MI, the daughter of the late Russell J. and Grace H. (Sancrant) Bauer. Sue graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Monroe, MI in 1953, and on May 29, 1954, she was joined in marriage with Maurice J. Willaert at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Monroe, Michigan. They enjoyed their marriage for over fifty years together until he preceded her in death in 2007.
Sue was a faithful member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh, MI and belonged to the Rosary Altar Society and taught religious education classes. She was employed in the Britton Macon school system as a teacher’s aide and also as a cafeteria worker. Sue was always there to help with Band Boosters, PTO, and driving her children to their extra-curricular activities – sports, Campfire, 4H and catechism classes. She contributed to the community by helping work the elections in Ridgeway Township. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, league bowling with her husband, and square dancing.
Sue is survived by her children, Joan (David) Barrett, Janice (Gene) Ford, Steve Willaert, Linda (Charles Whalen) Schnabele, Patty (Tim Walker) Willaert, and Mary Ellen Schwartz; nine grandchildren, Andy (Danielle) Ford, Beth (Matt Bouse) Barrett, Kyle Willaert, Eric (Laura) Ford, Nathan (Rene) Willaert, Evan (Katelyn) Schnabele, Becky (Ronnie) Bechtol, Reilly Walker and Jamey Schwartz; and nine great-grandchildren, Reese, Max, and Beau Ford, April Bouse, Nolan Willaert, Layla and Wesley Ford, and Remi and Rocco Bechtol. In addition to her husband, Maurice, and her parents, Sue was preceded in death by her son, Mark Willaert.
A funeral Mass for Sue will take place at 12:00 pm on December 1, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh, MI, with Fr. Daniel Wheeler as celebrant. Internment in Ridgeway Cemetery, in Tecumseh, MI, will follow. Visitation will be at the church from 11:00 am until the time of the Mass. Memorial contributions in honor of Sue may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are under the care of the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes.