February 22, 1943 — July 17, 2026
Sister Susan Maria (Susan Maria Breitenbeck) completed her life’s journey on July 17, 2026, at age 83 in the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent in Livonia, Michigan, having lived as a Felician Sister for 43 years.
Thomas Petito and Martha Jean Breitenbeck gave birth to Susan Maria on February 22, 1943. Because of life circumstances, Susan Maria was adopted by her grandparents, Howard and Clarissa Mae (Ahern) Breitenbeck. God placed these loving grandparents in her life, along with two priest-uncles who cherished her dearly and gave her the guidance and security she needed. In their care, she learned what it meant to be loved, to be valued, and gently led in faith.
Later in life, Susan’s uncle, Bishop Joseph Breitenbeck, introduced her to the Felician sisters serving at Orchard Lake. There she met Sister Mary Dorothy Kubczak and came to know Sister Mary Florian Kudla. Through their friendship, she found not only companions, but a spiritual oasis. Their influence touched her heart deeply, and in time she answered God’s call to religious life herself. Her vocation was not built on grand display, but on quiet faith, trust, and the simple desire to belong to God completely.
Sister Susan was in the truest sense a simple soul. Residing for most of her religious life at the Motherhouse, she served where she was needed and was very conscientious as an aide assigned to various household tasks.
Sister Susan accepted the many burdens of Parkinson’s with patience and courage, and even in suffering she remained gracious, gentle, and faithful.
What stood out most about her was not what she did, but what others felt in her presence. She had a way of carrying God’s peace into a room. She shared God’s smile with the world, and those who knew her were lifted by her kindness and her quiet strength.
Her life reminds us that holiness is often found in the ordinary, in faithful service, in enduring love, and in the steady decision to trust God one day at a time. Let her own words resound in our hearts: “I think the greatest blessing on earth that I could ever receive is to be able to serve God.”
We thank God for her life, her peaceful death, and for the blessing she was to so many. May she rest now in the loving arms of God for all eternity.
The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. by Rev. Lawrence Zurawski in the convent chapel of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Burial was at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield, Michigan, on July 28, 2026.
