Susan Janssen

Susan Vogt Janssen passed away on Monday, October 18th, 2021 at the age of 78. Determined to make it to the wedding of Emma, her eldest granddaughter, on October 17th, she fought cancer courageously for the past year and made it to the long-anticipated event just before her passing. After saying goodbye to the family that she loved so dearly, she passed away peacefully with her beloved husband of 58 years, John, beside her.

Sue was born on January 19th, 1943, to Harvey and Rachael Vogt. She lived a long and full life and wore many hats (both literally and figuratively). Sue received her bachelors of sociology from John Carroll University, followed by a masters in sociology from Case Western Reserve University. She worked for the Cleveland Eye Bank for 29 years, retiring as the Executive Director in 2012 to enjoy more time with her grandchildren.

Sue loved knitting, and always had a project with her anywhere she went, whether it was blankets for refugees, cozy items for premature babies, prayer shawls, or hats for her grandchildren and their many friends, all of whom called her Grammy as well. She also loved gardening and shopping, and always had her eye out for anything she thought would bring joy to those around her, especially her grandchildren. But most of all, Sue loved books. Much in the way she shared her knitting with others, she was constantly setting aside books for the many people she loved. She was the President of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library Board, and volunteered with the Friends of the Library for many years. She always fought passionately for the causes she believed in, whether it was public education or human rights, and joined her granddaughter Rachael for many protests. Sue supported her family fiercely and unconditionally in every way.

Sue is survived by her husband, Dr. John G. Janssen; her sisters Nancy Vogt and Marcy (Michael) Petryshyn; her son John (Martha) Janssen; her daughter Jennie Janssen (Mike Regalbuto); her grandchildren Emma Janssen (Eric Meng), Rachael Collyer (Carey Rogers), Katy Collyer (Jonah Meesig), Max Janssen (Ursula Dearing), Ava Collyer, Bear Janssen, and Will Janssen; and many friends, both in Cleveland Heights, the community she lived in for the past 53 years, and beyond, with friends across the country that she made through the Eye Bank Association of America. She will be deeply missed and always remembered.

The family extends an open invitation to a Celebration of Sue’s life at Church of the Saviour, 2537 Lee Rd., Cleveland Hts., OH 44118, on Sunday, November 7th, with a Funeral Service at 2:30 PM and a New Orleans style second line parade with a brass band at 3:30 PM.  FRIENDS MAY CALL AT BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HTS., OH 44120 ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH FROM 3 TO 5 PM.  Donations in Sue’s honor can be made to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank ( https://www.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org ) or the Friends of Heights Libraries ( https://www.friendsheightslibraries.org/ ).