Susanne Alice Varty, age 70, of Grand Rapids passed away on May 25, 2021. Born in Deckerville, MI on March 23, 1951 to Merle and Maxine Varty, Susanne was the apple of her parents’ eyes. She was revered by her family. She was also the first granddaughter for her maternal grandparents who spoiled her beyond compare. Her family moved to Port Huron within a year of her birth, and she attended public and parochial schools through the eighth grade. Her teenage years were turbulent, and Susanne spent some time with foster families and in other living arrangements until she was able to be on her own. Susanne eventually moved to Grand Rapids where she lived with brother Bob and family. It was during that time she passed her GED, and she also decided to join the military. She remained stateside and when she returned to civilian life, Susanne moved to Colorado, where she lived for many years. Then in 2006, she came back to Michigan and settled again in Grand Rapids. Susanne was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, Richard Varty. She is survived by brothers, Robert (Marilyn) of Grand Rapids, Francis (Diane) of Harbor Beach, and sister Julie of Trufant. Also surviving their aunt are nieces, Michelle, Alison, Jennifer; nephews, Stephen Varty, Nathan Harger; and a number of great nieces and nephews. Susanne’s family would like to thank a very special friend and advocate for Susanne; Lynn Watson of Denver, CO has been extremely helpful and supportive for many years. The family also would like to commend and thank the staff and caregivers at Cardinal Care, a wonderful facility that Susanne called home for the last five and a half years. She made a number of great and enduring friendships there. Equally kind and thoughtful was the staff of Spectrum Hospice who saw to Susanne’s needs and offered its care and expertise during the last month. Finally, she would have been profuse in her praise and gratitude of the Veterans Administration for its care, patience, tolerance, and understanding. She was especially fond of and close to Joyce, Lou, and her doctors there. A private funeral was held. Arrangements are being handled by O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home.
