Susan Marie Corcoran Pigg, of East Lansing, MI, well-known regional development director and beloved wife, mother, sister, volunteer and friend, passed away on February 21, 2021 at the age of 62. She was born the oldest of eight children in Battle Creek, MI on September 23, 1958 to Roger and Joan (Wuest) Corcoran.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Pigg; sons, Nicholas and Andrew; siblings, Michael, Thomas (Teresa), Patricia (Paul) Grela, Richard (Kelly), Christopher (Kristin), James (Susan), and Timothy; and many nieces and nephews.
She graduated with a BS in Biology from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia in 1980. She worked as a researcher for Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, where she coauthored numerous journal articles. She joined the Peace Corps in 1984, and served in Paraguay for four years. After returning to the U.S., she worked at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, PA. She enrolled at Michigan State University, earning her MS in Resource Development, focusing on community and economic development and natural resource management. She met her future husband at MSU, and they married in 1991. She used her talents and education working for the MI Department of Transportation, as the director of community development and housing for Eaton County, for MSU Extension as the director of development for Ingham County, as the Delta Township director of economic development, and as the executive director of the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission. At various times during her career she served president, treasurer, and head of the Education Committee for the MI Economic Development Association.
She volunteered her time generously. She designed and sewed costumes working with the wardrobe department for many plays while her sons attended Okemos High School. She taught religious education for children at St. Martha Church. She served as a eucharistic minister at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, and worked at the hospital gift shop as part of the Women’s Auxiliary. She was an active member of a support group for breast cancer survivors.
She enjoyed traveling, gardening, working on her homes, sewing, quilting, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.
She was a wonderful friend to many people. She will be missed deeply by those who had the privilege to know and love her.
The family will receive friends at Gorsline Runciman East Chapel, 1730 East Grand River Ave., East Lansing, Friday from 4-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 27 at 12:30 pm at St Martha Catholic Church, 1100 West Grand River Ave., Okemos, MI. Interment will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to the Michigan chapter of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, PO Box 4368, East Lansing, MI, 48826.
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