Suzanne Ward

Suzanne Ward, age 82, of Gaines, Michigan, went home to be with The Lord. She passed peacefully to New Life the evening of August 3, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Sue was born in Detroit on June 14, 1944, the daughter and first child of Robert and Phyllis Jenkins. She was a well-behaved child with a big bright smile, a good mommy’s helper, and a “straight-A” student. She spent much of her childhood playing with her nearby cousins. Sue was a Girl Scout for many years. During her childhood and on, her favorite pass-time was reading. During her teenage years the family moved to Orchard Lake, where she joined the West Bloomfield High Ski Team and graduated in 1962. As a waitress she saved enough money to buy her first car which was a shiny black 1960 Ford Convertible.

She had three children, Pam, Paul and Scott, with her first husband, Steve Ziemba, and settled in Howell. She was a devoted mother, expressing the importance of education, eating healthy, and saving money.

In the 1970s, Sue volunteered at newspaper and glass recycling centers in Howell. She was a hostess for Howell’s Welcome Wagon, visiting homes to greet newcomers to the area by handing out gift baskets. She was a waitress at Howell’s Big Boy restaurant and later at the Holiday Inn.

After the earlier chapters in her life, in 1982 she fell in love with, found everlasting happiness and married Keith Ward of Howell on June 28, 1984, sharing the wonderful and final 42 years of her life by his side. The couple resided in Fowlerville for many years until moving to Gaines, Michigan more recently.

In the early 1980s she volunteered at LACASA, helping with and reading stories to the children. She drove bus for Fowlerville Schools, worked at Alexander Hamilton Life Insurance of Farmington, then later as Deputy Treasurer for Handy Township of Fowlerville for several years. With her big beautiful smile, she welcomed voters into the township hall as she volunteered during many elections.

She enjoyed folk music (especially John Denver), worked with Keith at gardening and canning, and especially loved for the two of them to head up to their beloved summer cottage on Hubbard Lake. She stressed the importance of family and absolutely adored her grandchildren, always greeting them with her loving smile, a big “Hello!” and yummy snacks. She and Keith would attend all grandchildren’s events, but where the real memories were made was taking the kids to Hubbard Lake where the stories and memories will forever be with them.

Sue is the loving wife of her dedicated husband, Keith; the cherished mother of Pamela (Dennis) Guillen, Scott (Darci) Ziemba; grandmother of Jasmine (Corbett) Bennett, Jordan (Dakota) Aranda, Camille Guillen, Brendan Ziemba; great-grandmother of Malachi Bennett and step-great-grandmother of Sophia Aranda & Minoah Aranda; most loved sister of Robert Jenkins, Nancy (David) McKinney, Richard (Lisa) Jenkins, Carole (Dean) Nicolides, Catherine (Darrel) Shaft; and Aunt Sue to many nieces and nephews.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Phyllis, and her son USAF 1st Lieutenant Paul Ziemba.

Sue was a selfless, warm and welcoming woman. Even during her recent struggle with illness, she would deflect the topic of her current situation to inquire about the children, family and friends and their life’s happenings. She loved her church family in Cohoctah. She will be missed by her family and all who loved her, but Praise the Lord! She is now in her eternal home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

A Celebration of Life service to be held in honor of Sue on October 3rd at 11:00 am at her church, Calvary Bible Church, 1389 Elm St., Cohoctah, MI, 48816.

A luncheon to immediately follow in the fellowship hall at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 6686 Oak Grove Rd., Howell, MI 48855.

Sue was an advocate for our nation’s veterans. In lieu of flowers, a contribution could be made in her memory to Disabled American Veterans, or Wounded Warriors Project.