Kathleen "Sue" Morse-Fendley

Beloved wife of Rick Fendley. Loving mother of Darrin (Anu Reddy) Fendley and their daughters Amelia and Freya, and Racquel (Ron) York and their sons Charles and Benson. Cherished sister of Cathy (the late Kevin) Dowd and Linda (Steve) Perry.

Sue was born on July 28, 1953, in Saginaw, Michigan, to Bert Morse and Anna (née Dowd) Morse. She was proudly raised by her mother Anna and her stepfather Ivan Herr in Milford, Michigan, surrounded by a loving extended family of stepbrothers and stepsisters, including Phillip Herr. She was a proud graduate of Milford High School, Class of 1971.

Sue spent many years working in the medical field at Henry Ford Hospital and St. Joseph Mercy, where her compassion and attention to detail made her a valued member of the team. After starting a family, she chose to dedicate herself full-time to raising her children—always the classroom mom, never missing a school event, and cheering at every Battle of the Bands where her son played guitar.

A lifelong book lover, Sue never met a story she didn’t enjoy—often finishing a book a day, especially if it was a detective novel. She found peace and joy in her garden, tending to her colorful flowers and ensuring her window boxes were never empty. She was affectionately known by her grandkids as “Grandma with the Garden.”Many mornings were spent on the porch with a cup of coffee, a good book, and a view of the swans gliding down the Huron River, where she and Rick had lived for over 40 years - Sue always joked that living on Paradise Street truly was Paradise.

An accomplished cheerleading coach, Sue spent many years with the Lakes Area Hawks, Walled Lake Central, and Walled Lake Western programs. She especially loved coaching freshman teams, knowing how meaningful that stage of life could be.

Sue was a proud feminist and a compassionate advocate for others, often championing women’s rights and opportunities for the less fortunate. She and Rick frequently opened their home to children in need, ensuring they had a safe place to stay and the support to finish high school—because she deeply believed in the power of education and a stable home.

Sue and Rick shared a marriage spanning nearly 46 years, having wed on Leap Year Day, February 29, 1980. A favorite family story is that Rick chose the date thinking he’d only need to celebrate once every four years—but Sue made sure he also celebrated on both February 28th and March 1st. Their enduring partnership carried them through life’s many ups and downs, grounded in a quiet devotion most evident in recent years as Rick lovingly cared for her through her health challenges.

Sue will be remembered for her feisty spirit, sharp wit, and enormous heart. She had an opinion on everything, a laugh that filled a room, and a way of making everyone feel cared for—her warmth, strength, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A celebration of Sue’s life will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road in White Lake. Friends and loved ones are welcome to attend a closed-casket visitation from 2:00–6:00 p.m., with a short Catholic service to follow at 6:00 p.m.