Free spirited and independent, Susan B. Nowakowski was a woman with her own style and way of doing things. She had no interest in accumulating material possessions and spent years looking for answers to the meaning of life. She valued people and enjoyed getting to know them, asking questions and offering some of her own answers. Always ready to perform, her laughter and personality could fill a room in an instant. Those who knew her treasured her kind and generous spirit and her creative ways of looking at the world.

Sue was born in Pontiac on April 15, 1963, the second of three girls born to Arthur and Therese (Selteneck) Nowakowski. The family lived in the village of Clarkston northwest of Detroit . They lived next to a farm and she helped care for their animals which developed into life-long love for all animals. Pine Knob Ski Hill was across the street and the girls spent many happy hours surrounded by nature, ice-skating on the pond at Pine Knob, collecting broken skis from the dumpsters and sneaking into the ski resort with their cousins to sled until they were chased out. In the summertime, they caught turtles in the pond and enjoyed watching the wildlife. Family camping trips were annual events which took them to the New England States and Canada . The family dog "Gretchen" was a constant companion to Sue and her family on these adventures. These experiences gave Sue a deep appreciation for nature and animals. The girls' father worked for Channel 3 out of Detroit and her mother stayed home raising her young ladies. Sue learned many valuable lessons from both of her sisters, lessons about loyalty and patience, and about supporting one another in turn as needed.

The Pine Knob Music Theatre, later known as the DTE Energy Music Theatre, was built in the 1970s and the family enjoyed concerts from the convenience of their front lawn. It was great inspiration for Sue's artistic tendencies, providing fuel for her love of the arts. A creative youngster, Sue spent countless hours drawing, painting, or making up stories which she sometimes turned into books complete with her own illustrations. She was very theatrical, making magic wands out of paper and roaming throughout the house, granting her family's wishes. She even wrote her own shows at Christmastime to perform for the household.

As Sue was preparing to finish her eighth grade year at Clarkston Junior High, she endured the first of what was to be many personal tragedies. In February of 1977, her father passed away from cancer. Just thirteen years old, Sue was devastated, but she kept her feelings to herself, strengthening her sense of independence and her determination not to rely on anything temporal.

Sue went on to attend Clarkston High School where she became involved with art classes, enjoying the opportunity to express herself through a variety of media. She began teaching herself how to play the guitar and flute, then decided to take formal guitar lessons. She considered taking up the French horn in the high school band, but her instructors talked her out of it. Sue realized that band was too structured for her and that she needed more flexibility and freedom to express herself. She wasn't interested in popularity, and maintained a few very close friendships. She graduated from Clarkston High School with the class of 1981.

After high school, Sue took some classes at Oakland Community College , looking for something she could be passionate about. She considered taking nursing classes or computer training, but computers were a relatively new career field and the structure necessary for programming or office work didn't suit her personality. She spent most of the rest of her life searching for her purpose here on Earth.

In1983, the family moved to Bradenton, Florida , seeking sunshine and a home of a more suitable size. Sue enrolled at the University of South Florida , but never attended. She did take classes at Manatee Junior College . Though she was not fond of Florida , she liked variety in both her surroundings and the people she met. She traveled a lot, but in upstate New York , she found an ashram, a spiritual retreat, where many people had perspectives that were similar to hers. She lived there sporadically for seven or eight years, working as manager in the kitchen for a few years, belly-dance instructor and at whatever jobs needed to be done in the community. Sometimes the center put on shows and Sue made the backdrops for performances.

Although she was often restless and thrived on change, Susie was disciplined in some ways and took great care of herself, eating healthily and getting plenty of exercise, particularly by belly dancing, practicing Yoga or meditating. She made her own costumes and enjoyed working with material and beads. She often bought clothes at thrift shops and cut them up, reassembling them to fit her own style.

Sue sought life's purpose from all corners of the globe, studying religions of all types and studied Sanskrit. She was able to analyze and retain everything she read, and she used her voracious intellect to consider the perspectives of as many people as she could meet. She was particularly fond of Indian Eastern cultures and in the last 10 years came full circle with a stronger Christian faith. Sue traveled all over the world, volunteering or working to pay for room and board. She stayed in Germany for a time, and when her best friend, Patti, was stationed in Greece , she stayed there for three months as well. Sue also stayed with a friend in England and Wales for a few months. She visited London (one of her favorite places), enjoying the sites of so many literary inspirations as well as the culture. She taught herself French in anticipation for a visit to Paris at someday, but was never able to go.

Just before the holidays in 1997, Sue faced a serious challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She didn't want chemo or radiation, but the next year she consented to surgery followed by radiation treatments. She moved to Naples, Florida , in 2001, and was responding well to treatment. She loved to walk along the Gulf at night, visiting with the local restaurant patrons at the outdoor cafés and practicing her French with the many French -speaking people in the area. She was determined to remain independent for as long as she could and chose to manage her pain in silence.

While Sue was receiving treatment in Florida , her older sister Jackie was diagnosed with breast cancer as well, initially in 2001 and again in 2002. The girls decided that it was the right time for the family to once again live near each other and plans were made for Sue, her mother, sister Rachel, and her black cat "Onyx" whom she lovingly referred to as "Bebe" to move to Kalamazoo near Jackie in Hickory Corners. At the last minute, however, Susie decided to stay in Florida .

On Thanksgiving of 2004, Sue's health had declined to the point where she finally called home and uncharacteristically informed her family that she needed help. They quickly made the trip south and brought her back to Michigan . She wanted to live in a historic apartment and found a delightful one on Stuart Avenue . The quaint coffee shops and restaurants on Michigan Avenue provided her with the unique and friendly atmosphere that she enjoyed so much. She continued to make friends everywhere she went. Her hospice volunteer took her to area nightclubs so she could meet new people and learn from them. She squeezed a lot of living into the last few months of her life, and maintained a positive outlook throughout her struggles.

Susie never had enough; never satisfied with the amount of knowledge she had, never thinking she had all the answers, never thinking she'd seen it all. She knew there was more, always more, and she took every opportunity to find out what life had to offer. Her example will continue to inspire others to make the most of what they have, to ask questions, and to squeeze every ounce from life.

Susan died on Thursday, June 9, 2005. Her father, Arthur Nowakowski, preceded her in death. Members of Susan's family include her mother, Therese Nowakowski of Kalamazoo ; two sisters, Jackie (Joe) Wrona of Hickory Corners and Rachel Nowakowski of Kalamazoo ; long-time friend, Patti McBryde (Joe Cwynar) of Lowell; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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