I AM SITTING HERE WANTING MEMORIES TO TEACH ME
TO SEE THE BEAUTY IN THE WORLD THROUGH MY OWN EYES.
SINCE YOU'VE GONE AND LEFT ME, THERE'S BEEN SO LITTLE BEAUTY,
BUT I KNOW I SAW IT CLEARLY THROUGH YOUR EYES.
NOW THE WORLD OUTSIDE IS SUCH A COLD AND BITTER PLACE.
HERE INSIDE I HAVE FEW THINGS THAT WILL CONSOLE.
AND WHEN I TRY TO HEAR YOUR VOICE ABOVE THE STORMS OF LIFE,
THEN I REMEMBER ALL THE THINGS THAT I WAS TOLD.
Susan VanDyke, age 75, a devoted child of God, was suddenly taken to His Kingdom on June 7. Susan was a 1961 graduate of Ottawa Hills High School in Grand Rapids, MI, a 1966 graduate with a Bachelors in Fine Arts at Michigan State University. She was predeceased by her parents, Clarence (Bud) VanDyke and Harriet (Heeme) VanDyke).
Susan was noted for her artistic talent while still in elementary school, and she followed up with her Art Degree by designing windows for large department stores, as well as an interior designer moving from Philadelphia to Detroit to Milwaukee where she raised her two children. Susan was forever creating novel and beautiful art. She was active in community celebrations, holidays and school events. Always willing to lend a hand, and always having a house full of art supplies at the ready. Weather helping decorate bikes for parades, making costumes, theatrical sets, constructing backyard playgrounds, she made everything a bit more magical. During her last three years of life, Susan exhibited her glass art at Art Prize in Grand Rapids, MI and various art shows around the midwest.
She was also very involved in her church and contributed her artistic talent to enhance the aesthetics of her beloved church. She opened her home to college students from around the world. Teaching them English and help them acclimate to the ways of American life. She also volunteered her time to teach English as a second language to refugees from all over the world. She had a heart of gold and embraced those who had suffered and sought refuge in her home community.
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To know her, was to see the colors of the world through her eyes. With her whimsical imagination and talent, she left her mark on everything she touched and everyone she loved.
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She will be dearly missed by her many friends, her children, Randy Maryonovich of Milwaukee and Jillian Maryonovich of Brooklyn, NY, her sister, Judy (Jud) VanderWal of Grand Rapids, MI and two nieces and one nephew.
Services
A celebration of Susan's life will take place:
Friday, June 15th, 2018
11:00 am Visitation with family
12:00 pm Service Begins
1:15 pm Reception
at Eastbrook Church
5353 N Green Bay Ave,
Milwaukee, WI 53209
Sue loved color and light. She would hate to see a sea of somber colors. At the family's request, we ask you come dressed brightly. Florals, colors, things you know would make her smile. Thank you.
In Lieu of Flowers
In loving memory of Susan VanDyke, we are taking up collections to donate to a program that she held very close to her heart, the International Language Center & Tutoring through Eastbrook Church.
This center and its volunteers love and welcome refugees in a variety of ways, from teaching English, childcare, visiting homes and helping kids with homework, and lessons for those with all levels of English functional language skills and conversation.
Sue was a regular and faithful volunteer at the center. She cared for people and had a ready laugh to help cope with frustrations. She enjoyed meeting the new people from all over the planet and welcome them with her gracious heart and warm sense of humor.
All donations will go directly to the Language Center through Eastbrook Church at the end of June.