Susan Lee Fitz

March 20, 1944 - August 26, 2012

Susan Lee Tibbitts Fitz passed away Sunday moprning, August 26, 2012, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Susan was preceded in death earlier this year by her husband of 50 years, Ronald Fitz, Sr. and by two grandchildren, Tiffany Fitz and Lindsay Noack. She is survived by her children Lizabeth (Fitz) TerMeer of Coloma, Michigan; Jill (Fitz) Noack of Irmo, South Carolina; Ronald and Denise Fitz, Jr. of West Columbia, South Carolina; and James and Laura Fitz of Point au Baril, Ontario; ten adoring grandchildren, Katherine TerMeer, Meghan TerMeer, Justin TerMeer, Ashley Noack, Jessica Noack, James Noack, Rachel Fitz, Rebecca Fitz, Dustin Fitz, Leslie (Warren) Stevenson, and two great grandchildren, Carter Stevenson, and Ethan Fajardo. Susan is also survived by her brother David (Sally) Tibbitts of Niles, MI; and sisters Ann (Jim) Frazee of Portage, MI; and Linda (Paul) Starner of Traverse City, MI. Sue was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, on March 20, 1944, to Charles and Marguerite (Eldridge) Tibbitts. She attended Benton Harbor High School before marrying Ron and settling in Coloma to raise her family. Her love of animals began with the horses she rode as a girl and continued throughout her life. She took her compassion for pets public by creating a small pet store in a corner of the showroom at Crystal Bait and Marine on Paw Paw Lake. Eventually expanding to her own shop, "Second Nature", Sue loved matching pets to people. She also enjoyed working at the Benton Harbor Humane Society, and working with her 4-H Llama Group. She and Ron established their Crystal Cove Farm, home to a happy mix of animals, including llamas, peacocks, and swans. Services will be held on Wednesday, August 29, at 1:00 p.m. at Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service, 249 E. Center St., in Coloma. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, August 28, from 5:00 to 8:00 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Berrien County Animal Control to help fund their new shelter.