EAST LANSING, MI — Ronnie Sujak Smith age 35, passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2005, at home after a long battle with breast cancer. Ronnie will be sadly missed by her 4 year old daughter Cadigan; husband, James; father, Ron Sujak (Lisa) of Montrose; mother, Linda Jarrard (Marty) of Flint; brother, Teon Sujak of Troy; grandparents of Gladwin; and numerous aunts and uncles as well as cousins. She is predeceased by her grandparents, Veronica and Stanley Sujak, formerly of Flint. Ronnie graduated from Grand Blanc High School in Grand Blanc, Michigan in 1988. Ronnie was a masters educated social worker, graduating from the University of Michigan with her MSW in 1993. She worked for Livingston County CMH as a child and family therapist. She also worked for Lutheran Social Services of Michigan for 9 years as a student assistance provider/school interventionist at Willow Elementary School in Lansing. She had a passion for helping and serving young children. No more was her passion more apparent than when she was caring for and raising her own daughter. She was the consummate parent—loving, compassionate, nurturing, patient, and selfless. Nothing made her happier than playing with her daughter on the playground, reading her a book, or simply fixing her breakfast. Ronnie battled cancer since her initial diagnosis the day after her daughter was born. She was always conscious of not allowing cancer to foreshadow her daughter’s events and life firsts. The day she was diagnosed she said, “okay, no more talk about it until after Cadigan goes home, SHE is the big C.” She did not want the homecoming of her new baby to be marred by family and friends discussing and lamenting her condition. She wanted her daughter to have the perfect day with all of the attention focused on Cadigan. Ronnie fought the battle for more than 4 1/2 years and endured so much. She fought the good fight. Private memorial services will be held and are to be announced. Ronnie wanted to thank all of those countless people who helped out in the past several months. Unfortunately all cannot be named here but each and every one was greatly appreciated. A very special thank-you by Ronnie and family to Betsy Yonker and family, whose months of planning, coordinating, child care, love, generosity, and grace bestowed a gift forever cherished. In lieu of flowers, and by Ronnie’s request, memorial contributions may be made to her daughter’s college fund payable to Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP), PO Box 30361, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7861, trust account number 1934-1892516, or to the Lansing Chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
