Susan Lynne Hetzel

Susan Lynne Hetzel (nee Reeve) peacefully accepted Heaven’s invitation on October 29, 2021 at Elmwood at the Shawhan in Tiffin. Preceded by her beloved husband Tom, brother Doug Reeve and parents Milo and Dorothy Reeve, Sue is survived by daughters Pat Sanchez (Rob) and Debbie Frankowski (Norm), grandchildren Maria Nicolia (Anthony), Megan Ziegman, Alea Ziegman, Nick Frankowski, Kyra Frankowski and Nathan Frankowski. Sue’s journey began in Toledo on January 8, 1941. She was a fixture in her father’s store, Milo’s Meat Market. As a DeVilbiss Tiger, she shone as a majorette in the marching band. DeVilbiss also introduced her to Tom, the love of her life. Sue earned her nursing degree at the Toledo Hospital School of Nursing where she discovered a passion for caring for her patients and lifting up her colleagues. Sue joyfully married Tom on June 8, 1963. After stops in Cleveland and Norwalk, Sue settled with Tom in Port Clinton and they immersed themselves in the community. They lovingly raised Pat and Debbie with uncompromising values of education and hard work. While never missing the PCHS Marching Band on Friday nights or basketball on Tuesdays and Saturdays, Sue kept close with her own parents and embraced Tom’s. Even as they generously volunteered at church and around the community, Sue and Tom welcomed Gavi Velez into their home with open and loving arms through the AFS program in the 1980s. Sue made sure that the family bond with Gavi stayed strong – even travelling with Tom to Ecuador to experience what Gavi had shared over the years. Meanwhile, Sue focused her nursing in long term care and rose to leadership positions where she was known as firm but fair. As Pat and Debbie grew up, Sue quietly took Christmas morning shifts for herself so that her staff could create Christmas morning memories with their own small children. From witnessing the births and life events of her grandchildren, energetically helping in a complete home reconstruction, and lending her wisdom from her own life experiences, Sue’s singular hope and prayer was the happiness and serenity of her family. Over time, although the house moved from Lee Street to Catawba to the new-build of a dream home in Marblehead, the house was always home to family and friends. Whether her friendships began in Toledo, Marblehead or somewhere in between, Sue’s friends were friends for life. Each in time, Sue loved Norm and then Rob as her own. Even as health accelerated their retirements, Sue and Tom’s respective strengths and abilities unified them to preserve their independence and promote their interests, activities and travels. In so doing, they lived God’s direction that the two shall become one. Following Tom’s Celebration of Life and in the warm and loving embrace of her friends and family, Sue said simply, “I’m happy.” In gratitude for your love, Mom and Grandma, we, too, are happy. Sue’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Neidecker, Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home, 7755 E. Harbor Road, Marblehead, OH 43440. The celebration will continue immediately afterwards at the Elks Lodge, 231 Buckeye Blvd, Port Clinton, OH 43452. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to the Magruder Hospital Foundation, https://www.magruderhospital.com/magruder-hospital-foundation, 615 Fulton Street, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452.