Due to an attack on our website, we are re-posting Susan Metivier’s Obituary. We apologize that previous online condolences left for her family have been lost.
SUSAN LOUISE METIVIER
Born May 3, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Died October 11, 2017, in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Susan Louise Metivier (née Hall). Daughter of Robert H. Hall and Virginia Warner Hall. Married Donald Metivier on June 28, 1969, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Preceded in death by her parents and her parents-in-law. Survived by her husband, daughter Sarah (Aaron) Metivier Schadt of Woodstock, sister Nancy (David) Smith of Magdalena, NM, sister-in-law Suzanne (Richard) Summers of Pearland, TX, brother-in-law Paul (CJ) Metivier of Huntley, and many cousins, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Since the time she spent in high school as an exchange student in France, Sue was a Francophile. She and Don took many trips to Western Europe where they visited the great cities, museums and cathedrals, but they most enjoyed renting a car and driving with no particular itinerary to immerse themselves in the everyday life of provincial France. With the help of Julia Child, Sue introduced meat-and-potatoes Don and many friends to the joys of French cuisine. For a short time, she even proudly and stoically drove the worst lemon ever, a Renault Fuego.
Sue received her BA in French from Indiana University where she also met her husband. Upon graduation she was hired by Palatine High School District 211 and taught French at Palatine High School for 5 years until, with the birth of Sarah, she became a stay-at-home mom.
From the time Sarah entered elementary school until she was in college, the family hosted a foreign exchange student or two every year. As parent, confidant and friend to these many young people, Sue helped them with English and learned about their cultures and languages while serving up a good dose of Midwestern USA.
Her fascination with different cultures and languages led Sue to learn Spanish, and she put her new language skills to good use teaching English to Spanish-speaking employees of McHenry County companies. She also volunteered as an interpreter for some local non-profits.
Relaxation was either quilting or curling up with a good mystery novel and one or more of the many cats she adopted from shelters or when they showed up at her door. She leaves behind a 40-year collection of quilts that, after carefully selecting fabrics and colors, she lovingly pieced and hand-stitched.
Sue loved walking in her woods collecting rocks, leaves, feathers, or whatever caught her fancy, lazy dinners with Don, friends and a good bottle of wine, and dining out at a quiet French restaurant.
More than 6 years ago, after the existence of some kind of malady became apparent, she and Don embarked on a medical quest that ended with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s syndrome and Lewy Body Dementia. Sue has resided in the Memory Care Unit of Sunrise in Crystal Lake for the past two and a half years.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of care, visits, gifts, cards, prayers and well wishes through this difficult time, and offer a special thanks to the patient and caring staff at Sunrise and Kindred Hospice.
A Celebration of Sue’s Life will be held at 10:30 Friday morning, November 10, at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 W. Bull Valley Road, McHenry, IL 60050. In lieu of flowers, please address memorial donations to the Endowment Fund, Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation or The Assisi Animal Foundation, P.O. Box 143, Crystal Lake, IL 60039-0143, and note “In Memory of Susan Metivier.”
Au revoir Sweet Susie, love of my life.