Suzanne Margaret Shaughnessy died September 8 at her home in suburban Detroit. She was 79.
Sue was born in 1938 in Detroit, the youngest of six children of Alfred and Jean Shaughnessy. She was a voracious reader, devouring books on summer afternoons on the front porch of their home on Northlawn on Detroit's west side. At one point, her father rationed her to two books a week and told her to go play outside.
Sue's family thought she would be a teacher, nurse or nun, but in typical Sue fashion, she chose to pave her own path and become a writer. After graduating from the University of Detroit, Sue worked as a reporter in Michigan. In 1964, she left her home state and all of her family and friends for a job in New York City -- a gutsy move for a young woman at that time.
The job didn't work out and she moved back home for a few years. She returned to New York in 1970. She found work as a writer in the communications field and made close friends. Sue loved the diversity and adventurous spirit of New Yorkers. She appreciated the city's ever changing scenery, and she was always ready to find a new adventure or take on a new challenge. Sue was always eager for out-of-state family and friends to visit, so she could show them her favorite NYC hot spots.
Sue had a knack for spotting the next up-and-coming New York neighborhood, which she attributed to dumb luck. She bought an apartment near Columbia University when the area was gritty. She had a gorgeous view of the Hudson River and Riverside Park in an apartment once owned by philosopher Hannah Arendt. By the time she sold it, the neighborhood was fully gentrified. She bought another place in Hell's Kitchen in midtown Manhattan just as it was on the upswing, and by the time she sold to move back to Michigan in 2015, Hell's Kitchen was the place to be.
While in her late 50s, Sue beat Stage 3 ovarian cancer. She said the experience made her less tolerant of pre-tense and more understanding of people. Sue's Catholic faith was a solid anchor for her throughout her life, particularly when she was enduring months of treatment.
Sue loved theater, books, newspapers and travel. She was extremely proud of her dual Irish and American citizenships. Sue was a lifelong feminist, and she was "green" before being environmentally green was popular- always willing to find a new use for something others might simply throw out. She liked to have things her way, save a buck, and share her opinion. Sometimes forcefully.
Although she never married and had no children, she held dear her three sisters, two brothers, 27 nieces and nephews, and many, many great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her brother James Shaughnessy, sisters Marion Hubbell, Patricia Straub, and Sr. Eileen Shaughnessy IHM, as well as brother-in-law Stuart Hubbell. She is survived by her brother Gerald Shaughnessy and his wife Mary Ellen, sister-in-law Nancy Shaughnessy, and brother-in-law Paul Straub.

Memorial Gathering Saturday, September 16, 11:00am with funeral liturgy at 11:30am at St. Kenneth Catholic Church, 14951 Haggerty Rd., Plymouth, Michigan.

The family suggests those wishing to make memorial donations in Suzanne's honor consider:

Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 610 Elm Ave., Monroe, MI 48162
https://ihmsisters.org

Encore Community Services, 239 W.49th St., New York, N.Y.10019 Attn. Sr. Elizabeth Hasselt
www.encorecommunityservices.org

Capuchin Franciscan Province3 of St. Joseph, 1820 Mt. Elliot St., Detroit, MI 48207
www.thecapucins.org