Margaret Susanne "Sue" Buchau

Margaret Susanne “Sue” Buchau, age 86, of Samaritan Summit Village, Watertown, New York passed away March 3, 2018 after a struggle with Alzheimer’s.  She is remembered as a vibrant, loving mother, an intelligent and hard working employee, a kind and generous spirit and friend to many.

Sue was born September 20, 1931 in Highland Park Michigan to the late Fred Christian and Ina Maude (Beanblossom) Lunde. Raised in Belleville, Michigan the family was actively involved in the community and Belleville Trinity Episcopal Church. Sue was a Past Worthy Advisor for the Rainbow for Girls, graduated from Belleville, Michigan High School in 1949 and attended Henry Ford Nursing School in Detroit Michigan.

She married Richard A Buchau January 6, 1951 and had four daughters. In 1963 the family settled in Skaneateles, NY where Sue made and taught ceramics out of her home while raising her children. The family relocated again in 1973 to Dexter, NY where Sue and Richard began a new business, Northern Dairy Supply, providing Surge sales and service.  After their divorce in 1975, Sue moved to Brownville and worked hard rebuilding her life. She worked for H& R Block and was manager for the Adams office for several years. She also worked for the Credit Department at Sears, and then as Secretary of the Adirondack Carpenters Pension Fund for eleven years. In 1985 she became Accounts Receivable Manager at Severance Photo, retiring December 31, 1999. After retirement, she remained an active communicant at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Black River, NY where she held the position of Treasurer and vestry member. She volunteered for Meals On Wheels and, for a time, also held the position of director and secretary.

Sue found great strength in her faith and friends. She was blessed meeting her life companion, Robert “Bob” A. DesJardins, of Evans Mills in 1976, who, during her illness, was a dedicated and tender caretaker until the end. Sue and Bob enjoyed many interests over the years including the love for the outdoors and continued to enjoy simple and tender moments during her time at Summit. Sue always had a passion for art and enjoyed many hobbies including drawing, painting, reading, gardening, bird watching, crocheting, as well as tackling computer challenges.

In addition to her loving and devoted companion, Sue is survived by her four daughters: Pamela Sue Harrington (spouse John) of Moores, NY; Janet Beth Parody (Randy Granger) of Watertown, NY; Ann Marie Buchau (spouse Tom Lambert) of Pulaski, NY; Tamara Lee Buchau-Bates of Enfield, CT; 13 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. She is also survived by an older brother Fred H. Lunde, 93, of Livonia MI.  Her sister, Jeanette Oliver proceeded her in death.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Samaritan Summit Village for their compassion and care especially as her health declined in her last days. A memorial service will be held for Sue at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Black River on Saturday, March 10th at 11am.  She will be cremated and a private burial will be at the Lunde family plot in Oak View Cemetery, located at Royal Oak, Michigan at the family’s convenience. There will be no calling hours.

Donations in Sue’s memory may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or St. John’s Episcopal Church of Black River, NY.

Online condolences may be made at www.brucefh.com

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