Susan Louise Billings

Susan Billings
Books, flowers, puzzles, card games, board games, friends and family, were near and dear to Susan Louise (Armborst) Billings, who passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022 at the age of 76 after a long and hard fought battle with bladder cancer. Susan was born on July 16, 1946, in Indianapolis, to the late Edward Joseph and Mary Ann (Barron) Armborst. Susan was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Indianapolis, class of 1964.
Susan married C. Thomas Billings, an aspiring young lawyer, on November 19, 1966 at St. Roch Catholic Church, and together they raised three daughters, Lisa, Debbie and Stephanie, in Greenfield. In her early days, Susan worked with her father at the Indianapolis Athletic Club in the auditing department. Susan had a special place in her heart for seniors and she went on to help run various nursing homes as a business manager while also teaching CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) classes at St. Michael Catholic Church & School, serving as a Girl Scout Brownie leader, coaching her daughters' softball teams, teaching bridge lessons and devouring books from the library. She "retired" early to take on her most rewarding job – helping raise her eight wonderful grandchildren. Grandma Sue carpool pick-up days from school were the best!
What followed were years filled with wonderful memories of going with Grandma Sue to the library, zoo, Tuttle's Orchard, and the Children's Museum, swimming in her pool and playing beachball volleyball, playing hide the thimble, making Mickey Mouse pancakes, eating her infamous strawberry pie, reading books, playing card games (Go Fish, Crazy Eights, and Old Maid – she would always get the old maid card) and board games, oohing and aahing over Fourth of July fireworks (courtesy of Uncle Paul), delivering Meals on Wheels, going to Tour of Italy to eat and waiting an extra hour just to listen to the music, gathering around for the holidays at her house, and listening to her stories (including how she met Tom, who she described as her soulmate). Susan never told jokes, but, boy oh boy, could she tell stories! Her grandchildren describe her as exuberant, a story teller, selfless, compassionate, loving, gallant, and simply unforgettable.
Susan made many lifelong friends in Greenfield (shout out to her Lunch Bunch crew) and never met a stranger. Whether it was the checkout person at the A&P grocery store or waitress at Jim Dandy's, Susan truly loved people and was genuinely interested in everyone she interacted with (just ask Tom, who was often waiting in their running car). She was a kind hearted, humble, authentic, one-of-a-kind person who had a great sense of humor and a servant's heart.
In 2018, Susan was awarded the Golden Hoosier Award by Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, the highest honor bestowed upon seniors by the State of Indiana. The award recognizes individuals with a lifetime of community service and commitment to others. Susan started volunteering in the Greenfield area when she accepted a position on the St. Michael School Board in 1970. Her countless hours of volunteer work have aided both county youth and seniors: she has served on boards for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hancock County, the Greenfield Board of Parks and Recreation, and the steering committee for the Hancock County Community Foundation's Imagination Library, as well as the Hancock Regional Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and Meals on Wheels of Hancock County.
Susan was active in Tri Kappa and Kiwanis, served on the Hancock Regional Hospital Volunteer Guild, helping run the gift shop inside the hospital, was a member of the Hancock County Herb Society, Riley Old Home Society and Women Helping Women. She volunteered at the Hancock Hope House and she proudly served as an officer of Friends of Hancock County Public Library and worked the book sales, hoping to pass on her passion for reading to as many people as she could. Susan loved teaching people how to play Bridge (or any card game for that matter) and she belonged to several card clubs. She was an avid reader and member of a Cosmopolitan Book Club. She was a dedicated, compassionate woman who was truly interested in helping others and her community. Susan had a loving heart and left a lasting impact on everyone she met. She lived her life well and will be missed.
Survivors include her husband of 55 years, C. Thomas Billings; daughters, Lisa (Brian) Johnson, Debra (Patrick III) Mastrian and Stephanie (Tim) Schafer; siblings, Mary Ann (Floyd) Chamberlin, David Armborst and Paul Armborst; and grandchildren, Brandon, Andrew and Emma Johnson; Sarah, Patrick IV and Mary Mastrian; and Allie and Matthew Schafer. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister-in-law, Kathi Armborst.
Susan will be cremated and inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis, near her parents. In keeping with Susan's wishes, there will not be any service; however, her family will be hosting a Celebration of Life gathering on Saturday, September 17th from 2-5 p.m. at the Hancock County Public Library (in Greenfield) to honor Susan's wonderful life. Please join us and bring your gently used books, DVDs, music CDs, and video game discs for "Friends of the Library" – a non-profit charitable group of volunteers who raise money through the sale of donated items. Proceeds from their book sales help fund concerts, children's performers and special projects at the library. Let's fill up those empty bins in Susan's honor!
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a monetary donation to Friends of Hancock Public Library or to Hancock Health Foundation (Women Helping Women).
Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.LauckFuneralHome.com
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