Susan Elizabeth Johnson Stroud

Stroud,
Susan Elizabeth Johnson
Muskegon, Michigan
Formerly of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Tarboro, North Carolina
Susan Elizabeth Johnson Stroud, age 79, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her friends and family, on Sunday, October 30, 2022. She was born in Muskegon, Michigan on April 28, 1943 to George and Minnie (Lary) Johnson.
In her childhood years, Susan enjoyed being a big sister to David and Mary, as well as playing with her cousins and other kids in the neighborhood. She also developed her love of the beach by spending many special days at her grandparents' cottage on Lake Michigan. In high school, she was a high-ranking member of Job's Daughters, a young women's leadership and service organization. Susan graduated from Muskegon High School in 1961 with honors.
Susan was a natural care-giver, and she continued her education at the School of Nursing at St. Sinai Hospital in Chicago and at East Carolina University, where she completed her training as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Susan had her own clinic in North Carolina before retiring in 1989 after 24 years in the health field. While living in North Carolina, she enjoyed sunbathing on Liniar Bay and learned how to water ski slalom-style in the Pungo River. She loved the ocean at the Outer Banks, especially Ocracoke Island, as well as adventures in the Smoky Mountains. Her time in North Carolina also blessed Susan with a daughter from her first marriage, Cindy, who followed in her mother's footsteps, becoming a nurse herself and currently caring for patients with Hospice of Michigan.
During a visit to Cheyenne, Wyoming in the early 1990s with her best friend Jody, Susan met her soul mate, Doug Wilson. After a whirlwind romance, she moved to Cheyenne to begin her "second life." Doug, retired himself from a career in construction, loved taking care of his "Susie," and they had many adventures together. Susan and Doug loved taking long motorcycle trips across the U.S. and Canada on their Gold Wing motorcycles, traveling overseas to England and Ireland, enjoying concerts, tending to their horses, cuddling their cats, and serving on the organizing committee for Cheyenne Frontier Days, the world's largest outdoor rodeo. Susan was a gifted bead worker, and she spent months hand-making the intricate jewelry for Miss Frontier each year. She also had an amazing green thumb, and she grew a beautiful, thriving atrium at the ranch home she and Doug shared. After many years together, Doug surprised Susan with a beach wedding in Puerto Rico, and they remained happily married until Doug's death in 2018.
Susan missed the beaches and woods of her native West Michigan, so she moved back to Muskegon in 2018 and spent her last years taking walks on the sand, bird watching, admiring the lighthouses, and spending time with her daughter Cindy and granddaughter Mary, who moved from North Carolina to be close to her.
SURVIVORS
Daughter Cynthia Stroud and granddaughter Mary Allison Stroud both of Muskegon; Step-daughter, Jacque Wilson, granddaughter Chelsey Perry, and great grandchildren Zayden and Cruz all of Wyoming; sister Mary Gondella of Pennsylvania; brother David Johnson of Tennessee; cousins Jennifer Grow of Whitehall, Dick (Maribeth) Jeannot of Florida, Bill (Lori) Jeannot of Muskegon, Targa Miller of Lansing, Laura (Matt) Hayes of Wyoming, Tim Johnson and Amy (Jon) McEwen both of Massachusetts; nephew Jason Johnson of Washington; and many other beloved friends and family. Susan was preceded in death by her parents; husband Douglas; cousins Chris Johnson, Jeff Johnson, and Jacqueline Miller; and best friend Jody Coates.
CELEBRATION of LIFE
A Celebration of Susan's Life will take place, Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 4:00 PM at Kruse Park in Muskegon.
MEMORIALS
Donations to Hospice of Michigan. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.
Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon