Suzanne Louise Rea

BLACK RIVER, Mich. - Suzanne Louise Rea, 68, formerly of Bruce Crossing, died at home Thursday morning, Sept. 17, 2015, lovingly cared for by her older daughter.

Suzanne was born Nov. 29, 1946, in Ontonagon, daughter of the late John Darwin and Marjorie (McGinty) Rea. She attended local schools in Trout Creek, Hillman and Iron River.

She was baptized at St. Anthony Church in Trout Creek, and confirmed at St. Agnes Church in Iron River.

From 1966 until 1981, she was married to Dennis Brown; they had four children and lived in Bruce Crossing. During the 1980s, she lived and worked in Green Bay, Wis., until removing to Lake Orion and Auburn Hills, where she worked as a legal secretary in private law firms. She retired from the legal department at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, whose mission she embraced passionately.

Her greatest joy was her family, especially her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren.

She is survived by four children, Shawn Brown (Kelly), of Bruce Crossing, Kimberly Brown Gonzalez (Al), of Black River, Thomas Brown (Tom Mousin), of Winchester, Mass., and Nicole Brown Connolly (Dan), of Jupiter, Fla .; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; 22 nieces and nephews, and several great nieces and nephews.

Suzanne was predeceased by her parents and all 10 of her siblings: Ralph, Carol, Gerald, Jackie, Michael, Edward, Mary, Patrick, Kathleen and Sheila.

The Rite of Committal and the interment of her cremated remains will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Bruce Crossing on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m., with Father Anthony Kalapura of Sacred Heart Church in Ewen officiating. Following the burial rites, all are invited to a funeral luncheon at Twilly's Bar and Grill in Bruce Crossing.

Memorial contributions in Suzanne's name may be made to any of the following: The Salvation Army of Alpena, 722 North Second Avenue, Alpena, MI, or Leader Dogs for the Blind, 1039 South Rochester Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48307.

Condolences may be expressed online at bannanfuneralhome.com, with whom arrangements have been entrusted.