Suzanne Lynn Smith

Suzanne Lynn Smith, 59, passed away of natural causes on Thursday, Oct. 19th, 2023, on the way to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chippewa Falls, WI.

She was born Sept 1st, 1964, in Patten, Maine, the daughter of Madeline (Tripp) and Frank Shaw.  Suzanne had many jobs throughout her life.  She worked hard picking potato fields when she was young, worked running rides at the carnival where she got to travel, prepared leather at a Tannery, worked in a laundry mat, cleaned apartment complexes, and worked with Sexual Assault victims.  The job that meant most to her was the role of being a Mother to her two children, Melissa Fellenz and Kristy Kurowski and Nana to her 6 granddaughters; Kylie Smith, Emily Kurowski and Abigail, Annabelle, Bailey and Gracie Fellenz.

She lived in Maine until 2012, then moved to Wisconsin.  She was a wonderful mother with the kindest heart that would help anyone in need.  She would provide homeless individuals with clothing, food, and often a place to stay. She would collect items at yard sales and give to children in need in her community. My many lasting memories of her reflect her innocent, childlike soul that could find beauty in all of nature’s wonders.  She was an artist who loved to paint, write poetry, and most of all loved to dance to music and play her tambourine.  In her healthy years most will remember Sue hiking through the mountain trails and roads all over Maine with her beloved Belgian Shepherd, Bruiser. She had an unspoken ability to garden, connect with animals, children, and individuals with special needs. She had a wisdom to her soul that was beyond her life here, that she blessed our lives with and guided our growth towards God and faith. 

She was survived by her companion, Herb, beloved dog, Henry, daughter, Melissa Fellenz, son in law, Ryan Fellenz, granddaughters, Abigail, Annabelle, Bailey, Gracie, daughter, Kristy Kurowski, son in law, Chad Kurowski, granddaughters, Kylie and Emily, her four siblings: Beverly Blanchard of Strong, Solomon Shaw of Hersey, Ronald Shaw of Lagrange, and Dean Shaw of Hersey, and many more friends and family.

Donations in Suzanne’s Memory may be made to: Trinity Equestrian Center, located at S5300 WI-37, Eau Claire, WI. 54701.  Website: trinity-ec.com.  She was a patient at the equestrian therapy program for many years. This helped her heal physically, mentally, and emotionally in ways many previous therapies were unable to achieve.  We will always be beyond grateful for the amazing individuals there who help so many.

Suzanne’s wishes were to be cremated and spread in her most beloved places she enjoyed, which include the North Shore of Hurley, Wisconsin and Tumbledown Mountain and Coos Canyon near Byron, Maine.

Please dance freely, love fully and hug your loved ones in honor of Suzanne. 

A Limb has fallen from our family tree that says grieve not for me.

Remember the best times, the laughter and the song and most of all the good life I lived while I was strong.