Susan A. "Susie" Clements

Susan A. "Susie" (Fagan) Clements

Dec. 20, 1958 - Nov. 29, 2023

Susan A. "Susie" (Fagan) Clements passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at age 64, following many years battling mental illness. She had a diagnosis of Bipolar type I, had significant bouts of depression, and took her life unexpectedly.

Susie was born in Madison on December 20, 1958 to the late James R. and Shirley A. (Livingston) Fagan.

She graduated from James Madison Memorial High School in 1977. Also graduated from Madison Area Technical College for her associates degree in veterinary technician medicine. She worked at the UW vet school for over ten years working with various animals in critical care and surgery, which was her passion. She married Daniel H. Clements on June 14, 1980 at St. Bernard's in Middleton, WI.

Susie worked as a certified nursing assistant in in home caregiving for over 25 years. She adored the work, was passionate about keeping seniors in their homes, and worked with her beloved Tanya and caregiver Jane when it was time to care for her parents as they aged.

She loved all animals and in particular horses. Her beloved Daba, an Arabian horse, and her current animals cats, Frodo, Sam, and dog, Fiona, were the unconditional loves of her life.

Susie was incredibly full of life. Though her illness took her into occasional bouts of despair, she truly was a happy, joyful woman, filled with love, life, and compassion for others. In the midst of the last few years, she got to experience the magic of traveling with her beloved, and only, daughter, Katie, to Italy, and Door County. She also attended numerous concerts of her favorite artists. She loved art fairs, farmers markets, gardening, planting flowers, and she studied nutrition and was passionate about everyone having access to nutritious food.

Susie will be deeply missed by her husband, Dan; daughter, Katie (Mike) LaCourse; sister, Patty (Tom) Ries; brother, Mike (Tia) Fagan; sister-in-law, Nancy "Nan" Clements; and nieces and nephews. And many dear friends, especially Beverly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Shirley Fagan; her sisters-in-law, Bonnie (John P.) Livesey; and Sue (Gordon) Krueger; and beloved grandmother, Helen Fagan.

A celebration of Susie's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023, at the Cress Center, 6021 University Ave., Madison. Family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of UW Hospital for their phenomenal care provided to Susie at the end of her life. We are also grateful for all the care the Meriter psychiatric nurses, technicians, and physicians gave to Susie during her hospitalizations on the inpatient psychiatric unit.

Family appreciates any flowers, cards, and hugs during this incredibly difficult time. Also, memorial donations of any size in Susie's name may be made to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 6400 Gisholt Dr. Suite 203, Monona, WI, 53713 (www.namidanecounty.org).

"Mom, this is not goodbye, merely an interruption in our journey together. We know we will see you again, when it's time."

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406