Susanne Elrod

Susanne Smith Elrod, age 74, died on November 15, 2022, comfortably at home surrounded by family who loved her.  Susanne is survived by her husband of 27 years, Roger Webb, stepdaughter Kate Webb Morretta (Matt), stepson Daniel Webb (Aubrey Weeks), grandchildren Ellie and Lucas Morretta and Townsend and Medley Webb, sister Sarah Smith Bryska (Dan), brother Robert Smith (Carol) and cousins, nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.  Her parents, Robert Smith III and Susanne Pugh Smith, preceded her in death as did her first husband Tony Elrod.

Susanne grew up in East Grand Rapids where she enjoyed playing in the woods, swimming and sailing on Reeds Lake, ice skating on a rink made by fathers in a vacant lot, and making life-long friends.  She had many fond memories of family vacations on the shores of Lake Michigan where her parents later bought a lakefront cottage near Manistee, where she asked for her ashes to be scattered. She was a proud alum of The University of Michigan where she also made life-long friends, and later completed a Master’s degree from Ohio State University. Susanne was a loving wife, stepmom, sister, and aunt throughout her life, cooking mouth-watering meals, especially at holidays, and always sending cards to family and friends for birthdays and other important holidays throughout the year. Family and friends will always remember how she loved to decorate for the holidays, her ability to create a special feel to holidays or regular occasions, and her kind and gentle presence.  Susanne provided support to individuals with significant disabilities in various roles for nearly 40 years, promoting proactive public policy advancements and innovations to increase and improve community supports and public education that support individuals to work and live in the community. She was a Service Coordinator at Washtenaw County ARC in Ann Arbor; Director of Governmental Affairs and Director of Family and Community Services at the ARC of Prince George’s County, Landover, Maryland; Associate Director then Executive Director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council; Project Director of the Texas Assistive Technology Project at the Texas Center for Disability Studies, The University of Texas at Austin; and Associate Director, Developmental Disabilities, Texas Council of Community Centers.  Susanne leaves many long-time close friends from her time living and working in Michigan, Maryland and Texas.  Susanne loved to read, enjoyed music, loved to travel, and especially loved walking the beach and collecting stones and shells on the shores of Lake Michigan and the Gulf Coasts of Texas and Florida. 

Susanne fought hard for 25 months to beat bile duct cancer, persevering through chemo, radiation and a very difficult surgery, but was not able to win the fight. During Susanne’s final days, hospice services were provided in her home.  Her family feels extremely grateful for compassion and care provided by Spectrum In-Home Hospice so that Susanne was able to die peaceful with family by her side.  All who knew her are privileged to have shared some of Susanne’s life.

A celebration of Susanne’s life is planned for a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her honor to The Bissell Pet Foundation or a charity of your choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susanne Elrod, please visit our floral store.