SUSAN MORRISSEY

Susan Payne Morrissey, 82, died peacefully with family by her side at her Menasha, WI, home Dec. 29, 2021.

Susan was born October 31, 1939, in Lancaster, WI, to Eileen Cannon Payne and B. Patrick Payne. She spent her formative years in the beautiful driftless area of Wisconsin, but summers belonged to Lake Winnebago at the cottage of her grandparents, Cleo and Mabel Cannon. Susan and the extended Cannon family purchased a cottage in Three Lakes, WI, to share the family's tradition with several more generations of their descendants. “Cottaging” was essential to Susan's summers.

In the ‘50s, Susan's family moved to Madison, where she met the love of her life, Patrick Morrissey. The two were graduates of West High School class of 1957. Enduring friendships from that class have been an important part of both of their lives throughout the years. They married in 1958 as students at UW-Madison.

The couple's first two children Christine and Michael were born as Pat was completing his degree and commissioning into the U.S. Army. Their first assignment, a post in Germany where their third child Anne was born, was the beginning of an adventure that lasted over 28 years and included two additional tours in Germany. Susan loved all the moving and new friendships that military life entailed.

In 1971, she completed a degree in Social Work at UW-Madison. In 1980, she earned an additional degree in Elementary Education from Kansas State University. This led to a unique teaching position at Salt Creek Valley Elementary in Kansas where she had one group of students from fourth through sixth grades forming a bond with many of them that lasted throughout her life.

When Pat retired in 1989, the couple came home to Wisconsin, settling on Doty Island. Susan resumed her teaching career at Hoover School where she taught a first and second split class before settling into her favorite assignment—fourth grade. When asked why she loved fourth grade, her eyes would shine as she explained that for the first few years, students learned to read. But, in fourth grade, students read to learn. She loved to inspire that transition.

In retirement she became an active volunteer with many passions—the PAC to support the arts, at Leaven she shared her compassion for people in the community, and through the Neenah Schools Rally Round Reading Program, her deep love of teaching. She maintained a life-long connection with The First Presbyterian Church of Neenah. She was also active with AAUW and YTNF book club.

Family and dear friends rounded out her full life. Mornings at the YMCA for both keeping fit and socializing were a must. And Fridays became the highlight of the week thanks to the dear “Yoga Ladies.”

Family was at the center of her big universe. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her survivors: husband Patrick D. Morrissey of Menasha; children Christine (JJ Verner) of Appleton, Michael (Katie Sterns) of St. Paul, MN, and Anne (Kendall McMinimy) of Fremont; grandchildren: Hannah (Tyler Commo) of Fond du Lac, Callie Huffman (Brian Wilcox) of Neenah, Jimmy (Madison), Liam (Golden, CO) and Quinn Morrissey (Portland, OR), and Mackenzie (Appleton) and Finn McMinimy (Milwaukee); great grandchildren: Desmond and Aislyn Commo and Grayson Birder. She is further survived by her brother Tom (Gigi) Payne, her sister-in-law Donna Morrissey (Bill Mello), and two aunts who were more like sisters, Ruth Valenzuela (Bar Harbor) and Audrey Cannon (Hoffman Estates) as well as her Cannon cousins, along with her four dear nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father Eileen Cannon Payne and B. Patrick Payne, mother and father-in-law Emaline and Donald Morrissey and sister-in-law Diane Morrissey.

The family is grateful to the care providers who guided us, especially Brianna, Claudia, Wendy and Karen of ThedaCare at Home Hospice.

The celebration of life for Susan will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Church Street, Neenah, with a gathering to follow after the service. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. For the health and safety of everyone, all visitors will be asked to wear a mask at church.

In keeping with Susan's deep passion for helping people struggling in the community, the family suggests any donations be made to Leaven, 1475 Opportunity Way, Menasha, WI 54952.

“I believe that one of the most important things to learn in life is that you can make a difference in your community no matter who you are or where you live.” -Rosalyn Carter