Susan Barber

Susan was the essence of style, compassion, and beauty. She made the world a better place, always seeing the best in others, always giving the best of herself. Susan found possibility, enjoyment and fulfillment in each and every day—a true reflection of how she lived her life. Her appreciation for music and the arts enriched her life, a richness she in turn shared through her volunteer work in the community, bringing joy to many.

In 1944, in the midst of WWII, Americans were looking for joy in whatever ways they could. Music was one of those ways, especially in the lovely town of South Haven on the shores of Lake Michigan. Susan’s father taught music in the public schools there and was a well-known music educator throughout the state and beyond. It was during this time in South Haven that Michael and Leone Listiak found their own joy in the birth of their daughter, Susan, on April 6, 1944. Susan joined her sister, Mary, who was four years her senior. Their mother was a homemaker, yes, but also an accomplished pianist.

Susan attended South Haven Public Schools where she took her studies seriously and was an excellent student. She began playing the violin in grade school and continued to play through her high school years. Also during these formative years she developed an interest in horses, perhaps from playing cowboys and Indians with the neighborhood children. Yes, our Susan played cowboys and Indians—with all the trimmings, of course; boots, hat, bandana, gun and holster.

Susan was thoughtful and compassionate even at an early age. Her sister, Mary, got the measles when Susan was in 1st or 2nd grade. When Susan came home from school she wanted to comfort Mary but, being Susan, was determined not to disturb her mother’s bridge club in the living room. So little Susan went around the back of their home and climbed in through the den window to be with Mary.

Susan was able to satisfy her love for horses when she got a horse of her own while in junior high school. She named her horse Dolly. She loved riding and grooming her horse, but also, dutifully, did the work that comes along with having a horse as she shoveled out the barn, manure and all—making it clear, however, that she didn’t really care for that part!

Susan continued to be an excellent student in high school, and after graduation she went on to college, although she had a hard time letting go of her beloved Dolly in the process. She went to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois for her first year and then transferred to Michigan State University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in economics. Sue then applied for a position at the Upjohn Company in Kalamazoo and was hired. Although the position was for a computer program analyst and not directly within her field, she took what was available, and later became the Director of Information Systems. Altogether Sue’s career at Upjohn spanned 26 years, from 1966 until 1992 when she took a buy-out.

The greatest significance during her time at Upjohn was her introduction to a co-worker named Hal Barber. Susan and Hal dated, their relationship blossomed, and they were married on August 25, 1973. Together they traveled, enjoyed being active in the community, entertained in their home, and deeply loved their family and friends.

Hal soon discovered that Susan’s love for horses extended to other animals. Hal was a deer hunter and Sue just couldn’t understand how he could possibly shoot a deer. She eventually acquiesced, although she never cooked or ate venison. And when chipmunks invaded the terrace Hal promptly went out to trap them and ‘relocate’ them to Asylum Lake, but only after feeding them. Sue insisted that “Chipmunks have to eat, too.”

Susan enjoyed many interests. Like studying home styles and interior decorating, rarely missing a local home tour including the Parade of Homes. Sue and Hal toured historic homes in New England during the bicentennial celebration in 1976, and also enjoyed visiting historic homes in the Charleston area of South Carolina. Sue appreciated art, and in particular, the Kalamazoo Institute of Art. She built her own art collection, rotating her various pieces throughout their home. She loved traveling, especially their trips to the west coast and the Grand Canyon. And everyone knows Sue loved fine chocolate and made an art of finding lovely, delicate chocolates for her friends.

Susan served on numerous boards and committees, and especially enjoyed those involving the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League. She chaired “Evening of Note” and other fundraisers for the symphony, and hosted and co-hosted many other events as well. Sue was a natural at planning events and bringing them to fruition. She worked tirelessly to complete her commitments, was patient and understanding, and loved making things happen behind the scene.

Susan Barber was an extraordinary woman who was greatly admired for her inner strength and beauty, even when she was faced with cancer. She loved life completely and lived it profoundly. Her quiet affection and respect for her family and friends and for life itself was something truly splendid. It was unselfish, it involved sacrifice and giving. She knew the power of a smile, an honest compliment, a listening ear, and a kind word—spoken or written. She knew that unseen details are often the only difference between mediocre and magnificent. Throughout her life Sue wove together a vivid tapestry of memories that have now become priceless treasures within the hearts of all those she leaves behind.

Susan died on September 12, 2009. Susan and Hal’s family includes children Cheryl Barber of Lawton, MI and Stephen (Candice) Barber of Decatur, MI; five grandchildren, Marne Barber, Mark Barber, Cary (Josh) Johnson, Tonya (Darren) Arnold, and Emily; three great-grandchildren Nathan, Natalie, and Holden; sister Mary Hinderliter of Lawton, MI, niece Katherine (Tim) Glasscock, Rockford, MI, and nephews Kenneth Hinderliter, Lakeside, CA and Michael Hinderliter, Ruskin Fl, and grandniece Debra Hinderliter. The memorial service to celebrate Susan’s life will be on Saturday, September 19, 2009, 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Rev. Dr. Mary Beth Sarhatt officiating. Please visit Susan’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book, or make a memorial donation to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Home, 5979 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI, 49002 (269-344-5600).