Suzanne Waelens

October 10, 1930 - January 30, 2021

Suzanne (Joachim) Waelens passed away quickly and peacefully January 30, 2021. Suzanne was born October 10, 1930 in St. Clair to Lila (Mitchell) Joachim and Walter Joachim. She attended and graduated from St. Clair High School and there developed many life-long friendships. After graduation, she worked at the Diamond Crystal Salt Company in St. Clair. At the wedding of mutual friends, she met Bernie Waelens of Marine City and they were married on April 10, 1952. Bernie was in the USMC at the time and the newlyweds lived in Barstow, California for the first few years of their marriage. Following Bernie's service they returned to St. Clair. When her two children were older and in school fulltime, Suzanne returned to the workforce at the Commercial and Savings Bank of St. Clair. She enjoyed working at the bank a great deal and once again developed many life-long friendships with her bank co-workers. Suzanne was a traveler. She loved exploring new places and she and Bernie were able to enjoy trips to Europe, a cruise to Alaska and many road trips in their various RVs. Suzanne was also a reader. She read to her children daily when they were young and thus inspired a multi-generational love of reading. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are all avid readers. Both Bernie and Suzanne were lifelong members of the First Congregational Church of St. Clair and in their younger years were very active in the church, participating in Priscilla Circle and volunteering in many ways. Suzanne will be remembered for many things, but none more than her beautiful room brightening smile. Bernie predeceased Suzanne in 2014. She is survived by her daughter; Dawn (Darrell) Rogers, son; David Waelens, granddaughters; Emily (Mike) Haligowski and Maggie Rogers and great-granddaughters; Zofia, Adelyn and Lilah Haligowski. At the time of her death and for the preceding five months, Suzanne had been lovingly cared for at Bridge Senior Care in Marysville and the family's gratitude to Jena and Scott Rogers and all of the generous caregivers at Bridge is immense. Memorials in Suzanne's memory may be directed to the First Congregational Church of St. Clair. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 22 at the First Congregational Church of St. Clair. Private interment will take place at Hillside Cemetery, St. Clair. To leave the family a message of comfort please visit: www.lcfandson.com