Susan Louise Rabidoux

Our North Star.

Wife of Joseph Rabidoux. Mother of Michelle and Louise. Mother-in-law to Neil. Grandmother to Jesse and Caroline. Aunt and friend. Susan’s life was anything but ordinary. But, it had humble beginnings.

Born October 18, 1940, to Alaiedon Township dairy farmers Lewis and Lavina Wilson, she grew up on the family farm with her siblings Joyce and Doug. She and her siblings worked hard, picking rocks from the fields, helping to feed the cows, and attending a one room school until high school years. Once tall enough to drive a tractor, she learned to “double drag” a field.

Valedictorian and class president of the Mason High School Class of 1958, she studied speech pathology at Michigan State University (becoming a member of the Tower Guard honor society) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1962 and a master’s degree years later.

Susan married Joseph Rabidoux on July 7, 1962, a love story that continued until his death in 2017 - just short of 55 years. They met in 4-H as young people from farm families in Ingham County and Joe always said that mom’s eyes were like that of a Jersey cow. Susan was once crowned Dairy Princess at the fair.

She began her speech pathology career and worked throughout Ingham Intermediate School District until her retirement in 2000 - almost 30 years of service, making an impact on hundreds of children. She was named Special Educator of the Year in the 1980s.

Sue was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved walking in the woods, bicycling, tending her vegetable garden, and camping every summer at Otsego Lake and Lake Michigan. After retirement, she spent part of the winters in the Florida Keys. An enthusiastic traveler, she explored many U.S. National Parks, Hawaii, England, Ireland, Italy, Guatemala, and Peru. Other favorites: wildflowers, birds, books, and Michigan State University.

Giving of her time, talents, and care in service to others was a lifelong passion. For many years, she volunteered at North Aurelius Elementary School, was a 4-H leader, and served in many capacities at St. James Catholic Church. Ministering to agricultural labor communities and sponsoring friends in Guatemala was a special calling.

Mostly, she loved being wherever her people were.

Susan faced each day with a radiant positivity. She was joyful, even in the face of memory impairment. She never missed an opportunity to point out a sunset, a vibrant tree, and beautiful weather (even when it was raining).

The last 18 months of her life, she resided at Bickford Assisted Living and Memory Care in Okemos. Her family is thankful for their care and comfort and for the forever memories we all made, singing and talking, making art and playing cards.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Neil Munson, daughter Louise Rabidoux, grandchildren Jesse and Caroline Munson. She is also survived by more nieces, nephews, relatives and friends than she could count.

Although her family would have wished for more time with her, we are thankful for the years we had and for her positive outlook on life. How lucky are we?

Susan was a friend and supporter and light to everyone she met. In her memory:

Smile. At Everyone. Let that smile be your opening.

Offer words of support because you never know what it will take to help someone persevere.

Admire trees, especially tall ones. Touch them. Talk with them, “Hello, tree.”

Be genuinely happy when people walk into the room.

Relish in the beauty of everyday life: beautiful music, healthy crops, a growing garden with strawberries, ice cream with her family.

Say one of her favorite sayings: "How lucky are we?" And mean it.

In lieu of flowers, memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home for the Mason College Club, a civic organization based in Mason that provides scholarships to high school seniors and information can be gained through the funeral home. Susan was a long-time member of the Mason College Club.

Visitation gathering will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026, between the hours of 1 - 3 pm & 6 - 8 pm at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, Ball Dunn Chapel, 621 S. Jefferson St., Mason, MI 48854.

The funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 11 am at St. James Catholic Church, 1010 S. Lansing St., Mason, MI 48854. The family will receive visitors at church beginning at 10 am until the funeral Mass.