On April 7, 2019, Susan Lynn Freehling Axelrad-Lentz (b. 12/17/48 in Chicago, IL) passed away at her home in Chelsea, MI, surrounded by love, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. And yet to say the disease defeated her is a misstatement. An indomitable spirit, she kept her infectious smile throughout, an inspiration to anyone lucky enough to know her. Susan devoted her career to educational research across southeast Michigan, the largest part spent in program development for the Pontiac (MI) school district. Even in retirement, she continued to be deeply involved in Michigan humanitarian causes such as One World One Family in Chelsea. She is survived by her husband, Dan Lentz; sons, Ben and Greg Axelrad; step-daughters, Shannon Sheridan and Heidi Lentz; grandchildren, Theron, Marlon, Brody, and Quinn; and her sister, Patsy (Freehling) O’Loughlin. Beloved by all she encountered, Susan will be dearly missed.
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Leave a tributeI miss you more today. 4/7/2022
Let's all have some pie to celebrate this awesome lady.
Thanks to all who've kept this page going!
RIP Mom
Then there were the senior center lunches, movies, and Scrabble games.
She was a beautiful person in every way! Glad she was my friend!
In the early days of OWOF, we had great success sponsoring an essay contest - and that was Susan's work. She had the idea and led the rating and judging groups - all from her wheelchair. Many people in the community still recall the essay contest - it was one of our more memorable achievements. Most of us never knew Susan without MS, but she was a wonderful role model for us. Even though she had limitations, she was still ready to do whatever she could to fight racism and discrimination and make life better for others. Even as MS took its toll, she stayed engaged in politics and news and was always curious about what was going on. We'll miss her smile and good cheer!
While Susan’s physical challenges increased over the years her smile, spirit, optimism and pride in sharing her son’s accomplishments never diminished and always inspired me. We would listen sympathetically when she complained about how Dan, for no good reason she could understand, insisted she stop using the gas burners or not eat foods that presented chocking hazards but so admired their deeply loving relationship and the wonderful care he continued to give her throughout the years. Susan will forever stay a Buddy in my heart and I will continue to cherish all my wonderful memories of her.
Friday afternoons at the Chelsea Senior Center were our special regular time for lunch, Wiii bowling, and movies. When not there, we were playing Scrabble at her house. Great memories, great fun, and so much love! And all this was often followed by a cup of coffee and more conversation with Dan.
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Susan and I played Scrabble on the Fridays that we didn't go to the Senior Center. Dan got her about the greatest Scrabble set that exists... on a lazy Susan with ridges to keep the tiles in place. Susan's greatest skill in the game was to see and think in complex ways that maximized her score. And she was competitive, taking the time to make the best move possible! I was forced to mimic her style just to keep up. We had fun no matter who won the game. She was such good company.