SuEllyn Nina Gilreath
Age 79, of Lansing, Michigan, died of natural causes July 23, 2022. She was a long-time resident of Lansing and held secretarial jobs throughout her career including the State of Michigan and Holt United Methodist Church. Sue was an avid gardener and took tremendous joy well into her later years tending to vegetable and flower gardens. Some of her favorite things were warm sunshine on her face, Sunday drives in the autumn, and seeing the sights around Lansing any day of the week (she was a wonderful historian of Lansing’s hot spots in the 1960’s and 1970’s.) If you came to visit she was particularly appreciative when you brought her favorite beverage – a Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino. During her last few years, when needing additional assistance, Sue received loving and attentive care from her granddaughter Ashley. There wasn’t an obstacle too big or need too great that Ashley did not provide.
Sue was preceded in death by her mother Mildred W. Whitaker and father Elmer Leon Penner. She is survived by daughters Julie (Tom Dunk) Liberti of Pinckney and Bethany (Steve) Rigg of Okemos. She had five grandchildren: Erica Jasman, Ashley (Drew) Duarte, Rachel Jasman, Walquer Rigg, and Victor Rigg. She was a great-grandmother to two grandsons.
A visitation will be held Friday, July 29, 2022 between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel. Family will share memories and stories at 2:30 p.m. and those interested may join the family for dinner at Coral Gables in East Lansing at 4:30 p.m. A celebration of life will occur on her 80th birthday with a small gravesite gathering at Deepdale Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, those interested may donate to Meals on Wheels www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org in honor of SuEllyn with notification to family at angelflyerjdl@yahoo.com (Julie), or blrigg0202@gmail.com (Bethany).
13 Messages to “SuEllyn Nina Gilreath”
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Sheila Cook
July 26, 2022 at 11:11 amSending loving compassion to your whole family. My memory of Sue is that she was a ‘real character’ & she would get a ‘glint in her eyes’ before she said something funny. I also remember that she loved food & enjoyed her grandchildren’s birthday parties. May you all be bathed in Love & Peace.
Julie Liberti
July 31, 2022 at 11:45 amYou are correct about the ‘glint in her eyes’. It seemed pretty much everyone in attendance at her service agreed. We appreciate your thoughtful comment and being in attendance on Friday.
Thank you, Sheila
Shari Rich
July 26, 2022 at 2:25 pmSo many prayers said for you. May this time spent together as family provide opportunities for reflection and celebration of wonderful memories of your sweet mother and grandmother. Sending our love, thoughts and prayers. Shari, Mark, Kara, and Kassie
Julie L
July 31, 2022 at 11:48 amThank you for the kind words and prayers. Her service was full of memories and even some laughter, as we all appreciated her sense of humor.
Cindy Dravenstatt
July 26, 2022 at 2:38 pmMy thoughts and prayers are with the Family. Have alot of Memories of Grandma Sue. She was a very strong woman. She has been through a lot. She sure loved her Grandkids. I will never forget that when I was a Rep for American Greetings at the Meijer stores when she was doing her shopping trip with her aide she would always look me up in the store to say Hi! and talk. Sometimes she would say I had to walk all over to find you but I was not going to leave until I said hi. Bless her.
Bethany Rigg
July 30, 2022 at 5:23 pmThank you for sharing this memory. I had no idea she did this and it totally made me smile.
Julie Liberti
July 31, 2022 at 11:52 amI had no idea she would come & find you, Cindy. I appreciate you sharing this with us. It’s these memories, told throughout our lives, that keep those we love and have lost, close to us.
LORETTA STANAWAY
July 27, 2022 at 1:07 amMy thoughts and prayers are with the family. I knew Sue off and on through the years when she was a client of my house cleaning business and when she came to our church for a while and while she was living in her mobile home. I visited her over the years as she moved around. We lost contact about 10 years ago. I ran into her not too long ago in a store but she didn’t recognize me. I am sorry for your loss. May pleasant memories bring you comfort and peace of mind. Sue won’t let you forget her!
Bethany Rigg
July 30, 2022 at 5:22 pmThank you Loretta for taking the time to send us a message and share how you knew Mom. I remembered your name and recall her speaking of you fondly. Warm regards, ~Bethany
Julie Liberti
July 31, 2022 at 11:58 amWe appreciate your thoughtful words. She definitely wasn’t one to be forgotten! We heard that often as we shared stories at the service. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Janet Johnson
July 30, 2022 at 1:23 pmJulie n Beth…Was so sorry 2 hear u’ve lost your mom…I’d visited her at her trailer n we had a nice
Thanksgiving the year I moved back up here from Ohio in 1997 n many visits after that..my heart broke for all she went thru…when she seen me, she always remembered me..she is at peace now n heaven has gained another angel….I hold many memories in my heart..may you both hold your memories close n let them help fill the hole left in your hearts.
Bethany Rigg
July 30, 2022 at 5:20 pmOh my goodness Janet, thank you for messaging us. You were definitely someone I thought of this week as we found a couple pictures of Mom and you. I’d love to know how you heard about her passing. Much love to you. Feel free to mail us anytime; our email is in the obituary.
Julie Liberti
July 31, 2022 at 12:05 pmIt’s funny how someone pops up in a conversation, to only reach out a few days later. Thank you for sending this lovely message. Those years during her youth, with all of your group of friends, were ones she would talk with me about often throughout the years. As Beth asked, I’m wondering as well how you heard about her passing. An email is definitely welcomed. Love, ~~Julie