Obituaries

Susan Frances (McDonald) Ordiway, age 82, a Sault Ste. Marie local and most recently a 7-year resident of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Hospice House in Sault Ste. Marie on October 29, 2023. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on February 6, 1941, to Francis and Laura Mildred (Spence) McDonald.

Susan grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, graduating from Sault Area High School in 1959. On March 25, 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, James (Jim) Ordiway and started their family. While James joined the United States Army, Susan took care of the home and raised their daughters. Susan retired from Newaygo County as an Administrative Assistant to the Comptroller. She and her husband, Jim moved to Punta Gorda, Florida shortly after where they enjoyed 7 years of sunny weather together.

Susan was a life-long Lions Fan, finding a community of other Lions fans in Florida who she watched every game with. However, her favorite teams to watch were the ones her grandchildren played on. Sue and Jim never missed any of their games, whether it was across town or across the state. When her grandchildren went to college, they spent many weekends at her house relaxing and playing cards together. She also enjoyed golfing, having lunch with the ladies, dancing, reading, vacationing with family, and going on car rides with Jim. She was the best at being a wife, mother, and grandmother, always loved taking care of her family.

Susan is survived by her husband, James; daughters, Patty (Steve) Ewing of Sault Ste. Marie and Kathy (Jeff) Alexander of Negaunee, Michigan; grandchildren, Zachary (Abby) Ewing, Taylor (Chris Oja) Ewing, Jayne (Kody) Norwood, and Nathan (Maaikee Pronda) Alexander; great-grandchild, Benjamin Ewing; sister, Mary Lou (Gene Nelson) Moher of Sault Ste. Marie; sister-in-law, Suzie Veldt of Sault Ste. Marie; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Susan was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather, John and Laura Lackey; infant daughter, Elizabeth Ann Ordiway; brother and sister-in-law, Jim & Maxine McDonald; brother-in-law, Tom Ordiway; and beloved grandparents.

Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 10:30 AM, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie, with a gathering beginning at 10:00 AM.

Susan’s Final Resting Place will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Pickford, Michigan.

Memorial Contribution can be made out to the Hospice House of the EUP in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, 308 W. 12th Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. The Hospice House provided incredible comfort and care to Susan and her family in her final days.