Susan Marie Smith

Susan Marie Smith was born on May 17th, 1966 to her Mother, Janet Schuster-Zonca and her Father Richard Zonca. Susan was raised with her 3 siblings Michael Zonca, Michelle Zonca and Julie Zonca in her family home in Dearborn. Sue attended St. Sebastian Catholic school from kindergarten- 8th grade and Edsel Ford high school graduating class of 1984. After graduating from high school Susan began attending classes at Eastern University with a plan of becoming a school teacher. While she was attending college, she began waitressing at Pizza Hut, and ended up falling in love with working in a restaurant. She had so many wonderful memories working at Pizza Hut especially because that is where she met her husband, Paul Smith. Paul and Sue began dating the summer of 1989 while Sue was a waitress and Paul was a manager at Pizza Hut. People that knew Paul and Sue knew that their love was true, and could be felt by everyone around them. On June 1st 1990 Paul and Sue were married at Christ the King episcopal church. A reception was held at the V.F.W hall on Grosse Ile.

Sue had such a wonderful marriage to Paul, being married almost 35 years. Their love was special and was a wonderful thing to be witnessed by everyone who knew them. Paul and Sue lived in Trenton and welcomed their first child, Daniel Smith on November 26th, 1990. Paul and Sue enjoyed their time living in Trenton right by Elizabeth park, where Daniel would play and they would frequently walk up to the Custard corner. Sue stayed home with Daniel while Paul began working at Fritz enterprise in 1991. Years later Paul and Sue decided to have another child and buy their family home (where they still live today) in Gibraltar. Their second child, Lindsay Miller (Smith) was born on August 27th, 1994. Paul and Sue really enjoyed their years raising children in Gibraltar and making so many friends in the community. Sue began working at the Grosse Ile golf and country club in 1995 and remained working here as a waitress for over 15 years, where she made so many friends and memories.

While the kids grew up, Sue was involved in every single activity the kids participated in. Sue was involved with Daniel’s cub scouts, baseball and the two of them enjoyed reading together all of their favorite books. Sue was involved with Lindsay’s activities including being a troop leader for troop 1626 Girl Scouts. Sue planned countless activities, camping trips, meetings, and selling Girl Scout cookies. Sue was also heavily involved with the PTO at parsons elementary where Daniel and Lindsay attended school. With the PTO she really enjoyed planning the scholastic book fair every year and making it magical for us kids. While the kids attended Parsons, Shumate Middle school, and Carlson High school they made life long friends who became Sue’s “middle children” and that’s where she coined the nickname Mama Sue. Sue was also heavily involved with Lindsay’s cheerleading with Shumate Middle School and Carlson high school where she took charge of providing food for the whole team for every single competition. Sue truly loved Lindsay’s time with the cheer team, and she really “Bled true Blue” for those girls and the coaches. During Lindsay’s time in high school is where Lindsay met her husband Cody Miller who went on to become Sue’s Son-in-law with Cody and Lindsay marrying in 2021. Sue cherished their relationship referring to them as love birds and supported them every step of the way.

In 2010 Sue began working as a waitress at Sibley gardens in Trenton. Sue loved working at Sibley’s and cultivated countless relationships with co-workers and regular customers who became like her family. Sue also enjoyed when her daughter Lindsay worked with her at Sibleys for 5 years while she attended college. Sue was so grateful to work at Sibleys and do what she loved every day.

Sue really enjoyed life, and had so many hobbies that brought her joy. Sue fell In love with reading at a young age and continued to read countless books throughout her life with her favorite series being Harry Potter and her favorite Author Alice Hoffman. Sue also enjoyed crafting, including making cheer bows, wreaths, seasonal decor for the home, and working with beach glass and shells. Another hobby that brought Sue so much happiness is baking and cooking. Sue spread her love through food, cooking so many special meals including birthday dinners and cakes. Making brownies and muffins and polish feasts for everyone she loved.

Sue also loved spending time on the boat with her husband and family. Sue and Paul cultivated a boating family where they would spend every summer on the water with their friends and created such wonderful memories. Her favorite places to visit on the water included Higgins lake, Indian River and Frankfort Michigan. Sue would enjoy reading a good book on the beach in the sun, collecting rocks and shells and building elaborate sand castles with her kids.

Sue also loved the annual St. Sebastian festival in Dearborn while it was active, taking her children every year walking the same route she used to walk as a child going to school. She always looked forward to having a polish platter from the food tent and seeing her family and old friends.

Sue loved to take care of everyone around her, and her positivity was contagious. She will be truly missed by everyone who knew her. If you knew Sue, you know how much she truly cared about helping others and spreading kindness. Susan passed away on February 24th, 2025 at the age of 58. This world will not be the same without her, and her legacy will live on forever.