Susan R. Bacon, Kinewa Middle School teacher, 75, passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 14, 2022.
Susan was born on January 10, 1947 in Flint, MI to the Honorable Stephen J. Roth & Frances J. Bowerman. She graduated from Flint Central High School and continued her studies at Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Education. On September 16, 1983, Susan married fellow educator Ron Bacon. As they blended families, Ron and Susan joined forces helping each other raise three children together.
The classroom was Susan’s stage, in a theater where she drew children into a world of educational entertainment. Gifted with the art of capturing and holding her student’s attention, a love of learning was the gift she bestowed on each. Susan’s teaching career traversed school districts in Flint, Dowagiac and Okemos, Michigan working with elementary and middle school children. It was at Kinawa Middle School in Okemos she found her life’s passion, especially working with her 8th graders. Susan retired from the Okemos Public Schools, forever longing for her “one room schoolhouse.” Highly respected by her colleagues with their remembrances of her as a “master teacher”, “empathic”, “compassionate”, “loyal friend”, “voracious reader”, “gifted wordsmith” and always, “a strong proponent for the underdog.”
With her playful nature, Susan never knew a stranger, and friends of all ages enjoyed her infectious laugh, her insights and creativity, her support, and her dancing when a moment in life was deserving of a little jig. She was exceptionally pleased with the title bestowed upon her by her two oldest grandsons “The Old B.A.G” (aka Bad A** Grandma) and worked hard to live up to their expectations. Although still called Grandma by her two younger grandsons, Susan was intent on insuring they too would one day lovingly refer to her as “The Old B.A.G.” as well.
Susan will be deeply missed by her friends and family and is survived by her husband Ron, stepdaughter Debi Sapolin, stepson Jeff (Mary) Bacon, son Jeremy (Alicia) Kirsch, grandchildren Alec and Jacob Sapolin, Carter and Jack Bacon, Ryan, Jonathan and Madison Kirsch, sister Diane Roth, nephew Andy Roth. Susan was preceded in death by her parents Stephen and Frances and many fur babies she’s loved throughout the years.
As you remember Susan, perhaps your thoughts will be similar to those of a dear friend when she wrote, “Tonight you’re the brightest star in the night sky. I know that because I’m looking up. I’ll close my eyes knowing that we’ll meet again … in my dreams as you soar on a wing and a prayer.”
In lieu of flowers, Susan’s memory can be honored with donations to The Ron & Susan Bacon Outdoor Recreation Award, an annual scholarship awarded to students at Central Michigan University pursuing a degree in outdoor recreation.
Donations by check can be made to:
Central Michigan University
(“Bacon Scholarship” noted in memo)
Attn: Gifts Entry
Carlin Alumni House
524 E. Bellows St.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Donations can be made online at: https://dar.cmich.edu/alumni/giving/fund/66764
Susan’s Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.
Thank you to Debi Bacon Sapolin for notification.
**UPDATE 14 Oct 2022 - There will be a Celebration of Life" (a shindig!) for Ms. Bacon on 03 Dec 2022. The family is requesting video messages and/or photos from everyone. Please use this link to upload: "Join in on group video message for Susan Bacon!" . (Note: there is a deadline to participate.)