Sue Ellen Martin-Crowell

Sue Ellen Martin-Crowell

11-20-51 to 5-18-2021

Sue Ellen Martin-Crowell, age 69, left this earth on May 18, 2021 to join the many people she loved who are in Heaven.  This regretfully means leaving many loved ones here.  She was preceded in death by her dad, Lester, and mom, Dorothy, sisters- Judith Mae and Barb (Alexander), brother- James Dale, her Grandma Burley, dear friend Arlene Shepard, and many others in her Christian community.  Her last residence was in Montague, Michigan, though she spent twenty years of her life living in Northern Michigan- in Petoskey, Boyne City, Beaver Island, and Bellaire.

Sue Ellen was born in Shelby, Michigan on November 20, 1951 to Les and Dorothy Martin. She was part of a large family of seven. Judith Mae (deceased as a baby), Barbara Ann (Alexander), James Dale, Donna Jean, June Marie (Freeman), and Tom Lester were her siblings. Her childhood was one of enjoying the outdoors and living on White Lake on Old Channel Trail with many interesting neighbors. There was a lot of entertainment at home.

She attended Montague Public Schools (K-12th grade) and was very social and outgoing. Sue also loved learning and, after high school, achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Education as well as a Master’s Degree in School Counseling, both from Central Michigan University. She held various positions in her career, in Human Services and Teaching, mostly working with people with developmental disabilities, which was one of the loves of her life. She enjoyed helping others, especially those who had trouble keeping up with the World’s expectations.

Sue renewed her relationship with Christ as her savior and rededicated her life to Him when she was pregnant with her daughter Anna. Anna was born in 1981 and was Sue’s deepest love. From that point on, Anna became the focal point of her life and was her pride and joy.

In 2015, Sue married her sweet, devoted husband, Chuck Crowell, renewing the love that they shared in their early 20s. Sue and Chuck shared an immense love and were filled with deep care and adoration for one another.

Sue attended Bellaire Wesleyan Church in Bellaire, Michigan for 10 years and attended White Lake Wesleyan Church in Whitehall, Michigan for 26 years. Sue’s other interests included writing, reading, swimming, ancestry work, friends and family, day trips around Michigan (especially Northern Michigan), and spending special quality time with her grandchildren.

Sue is survived by her husband, Chuck Crowell, her daughter, Anna Irene Girgenti, her son-in-law Richard Girgenti, two grandgirls, Talia Elle and Arabella Olivia Girgenti, stepsons Troy Crowell and Chuck Crowell, step-granddaughter Skylar Crowell, sisters Donna Martin and June (Doug) Freeman, brother Tom (Paula) Martin, one aunt Jean (Richard) Hunt, many nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

Sue loved this poem and would like to be remembered by the love she tried to convey to others:

A Prayer

When I am dying, let me know

That I loved the blowing snow

Although it stung like whips;

That I loved all lovely things

And I tried to take their stings

            With unembittered lips;

That I loved with all my strength,

To my soul’s full depth and length,

            Careless if my heart must break,

That I sang as children sing

Fitting tunes to everything,

            Loving life for its own sake.

Sue’s visitation will be held on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 3 p.m. at White Lake Wesleyan Church, 503 S. Division Street in Whitehall, Michigan. The funeral will follow at 4 p.m. with a luncheon following in the fellowship hall. Sue will be interred at Oakgrove Cemetery on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Sue’s Granddaughters’ Education Fund, checks payable to c/o Anna Girgenti and sent to either Anna Girgenti at her home or the church’s address above. You can also express condolences by making a donation to White Lake Wesleyan Church to help them continue their good work in helping to save souls in the White Lake Area.

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