GAMBER, Susan Rae
Kalamazoo
Age 70, passed away on October 12, 2022, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, MI. Susan was born on December 12, 1951, in Howell, MI and raised in Fowlerville, MI. She attended Grand Valley State University (then Grand Valley State College) to earn her undergraduate degree in sociology and attended the University of Michigan for her Master of Social Work. Susan lived much of her adult life in Kalamazoo, working for many years as a social worker for the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital and later for the Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing. Throughout her career, she transformed the generosity, compassion, and service to others that were the core values of her life into caring and advocating for those unable to care and advocate for themselves. Outside of work and after her retirement, Susan maintained an active social life, and she is survived by friends she treasured and who treasured her in equal measure. Her wide-ranging interests spanned mystery novels to current cinema, celebrity gossip to local theater. Anyone who met her will remember her for her intellect that was fierce but never condescending, her wit that was quick and creative, but never cruel, and her spirit that was independent and uncompromising but never uncharitable. Those who were fortunate enough to be counted among her family and friends will remember her, too, for her loyalty, her devotion, her enthusiasm for life’s joys and her solace and strength during its challenges. Susan will be dearly missed as a sister, an aunt, a mother, and a friend. She is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Iris (Dennis) Gamber; a brother, Richard Gamber, and his wife, Irene M. Kazieczko. Susan is survived by her son, Ian McCaul of Ann Arbor; sisters, Mary Jo (Michael) Barrett of Webberville and Marcia Gamber of East Lansing; nephews, Jason (Rebecca) Barrett of Williamston and Brad (Kerri) Barrett of Webberville; niece, Erin Gamber-Johnson of East Lansing; and great nieces and nephews, as well as many friends. A visitation will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home in Kalamazoo, MI on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. A graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Fowlerville, MI at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2022. Those looking to honor Susan’s memory are encouraged to make donations in her name to Gryphon Place in Kalamazoo.