Elk Rapids, Michigan - Susan (Sue) Dionne, 78, of Elk Rapids, Michigan, passed from this life peacefully June 2, 2026. Her passing followed a long fight with illness marked by numerous victories and setbacks. Her positivity and appreciation of life never wavered.

She was born Susan Elizabeth Tellor on September 6, 1947, to Patricia and William Tellor. She grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota, before moving to Grand Rapids as a young girl. She attended Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School, then Grand Rapids Junior College where she met Thomas (Tom) Dionne, who would later become her husband, and finally Michigan State University where she earned a B.A. in social work.

Sue loved to travel and to be outside in nature. After a couple years of marriage and professional life in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Sue and Tom found themselves a bit restless and so, without much planning or thought, decided to quit their jobs and take a trip out West. That trip ended up being 100 days and 17,000 miles, ultimately landing them in Elk Rapids, where they would start their family. In their retirement era, Sue and Tom returned to the road in a series of camper vans, visiting all corners of the US with Sue as navigator, reading articles out loud as the miles flew by. While not a dog person for most of her life, Sue shocked her family in her mid-sixties by adopting first Panda, then Sunny and becoming an avid walker with both, recording hundreds of miles each year along the trails of Maplehurst or Maple Bay and the streets of Elk Rapids.

Sue rarely stopped moving. She was a force of energy and positivity, with a wide range of interests and passions. She enjoyed getting her hands dirty, evidenced by the bounty of plants and flowers in her yard. She shared this passion of gardening with friends and family, always up for a family work day whether at her house or that of a family member. This same internal drive propelled her back to MSU at the age of 39 where she earned her Master's of Social Work. A special ed bus driver at the time, she would drive 160 miles per day while also being a student, wife and mother, then drive across the state to Alpena for classes on weekends.

She embodied lifelong learning. Throughout her life she took classes, attended seminars and joined groups to learn, laugh and share. The activity often took a backseat to the friendships and bonds formed from these groups. Sue enjoyed people - so she learned to reupholster, knit, row, play mah jong or volunteered with a multitude of organizations. All of these served as ways to surround herself with good people, her people.

She loved sports, specifically MSU basketball and ERHS soccer. Local ER fans who attended games when her boys played, between 1989 - 1998, would recognize her voice in an instant, both cheering on the team and helping the refs officiate when needed. She loved teams that played good defense and would have made an outstanding point guard had women's sports been available in her youth.

She was funny and fun to be around. She was always seeing the bright side of life and smiling a smile that made others want to join in her joy. She was also an incredibly strong and opinionated woman with a sharp, often unfiltered, tongue for what she didn't appreciate.

Sue is survived by her husband Tom Dionne of Elk Rapids, MI; son and daughter-in-law, Nate and Ami Dionne of Boyne City, MI; son and daughter-in-law, Jesse and Lisa Dionne of Elk Rapids, MI; grandchildren, Isaac, Camden and Adalyn Dionne of Boyne City, MI; nieces, Sarah Fisher of Traverse City, MI; Helen (Sean) Looney of Minneapolis, MN; Renee (Kirk) Mies of Lindenhurst, IL; nephew, Hiroki (Robin) Dionne of Jacksonville, FL; and eight great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by mother, Patricia Tellor; father, William Tellor; sister, Kathleen Sullivan, and nephew, Allen Sullivan.

Her family will be hosting a memorial in the late summer. Memorial contributions in her name to Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy are welcomed.

Sue was a person who didn't need much, but truly appreciated what she had. She loved cold drinks and fresh fruit on hot days. She loved grilling in the summertime. She absolutely adored waking up early and then getting back into bed with a muffin and coffee, spending the morning reading, working on NYT word games and cuddling with her dog.

Beacon Cremation and Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www:beaconfh.com