Susan Lehman Fox, M.D., of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, March 28, 2022, while on vacation with her family. She was 53 years old and is survived by her husband and three children. Susan's infectious smile, energy, and passion will be missed by all who knew her.
Susan grew up in Bay City, Michigan, a proud daughter of hard-working, blue-collar parents. She attended St. Hyacinth Grade School and All Saints High School in Bay City. A bright student and hard worker from an early age, Susan excelled academically. She received her Bachelor of Science in cellular molecular biology with highest distinction from the University of Michigan Honors Program in 1991, and graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1995. Sue became interested in family practice medicine when she spent a summer rotation in Traverse City during medical school and she completed her residency at Grand Rapids Family Practice Residency at Saint Mary's Hospital in 1998. She and her husband, Steve Fox, returned to Traverse City and she practiced medicine there for 23 years.
A founding member and the managing partner of Bay Area Family Care in Traverse City, Dr. Sue was beloved by her partners, staff, and patients with whom she shared more than 18 years of laughter and love. Susan treated Bay Area as an extension of her family and was rewarded for it by a consistently great team. Her quick wit, passion, and tenacity for patient care is well-known throughout the medical community. Sue took her responsibility as a physician and educator seriously. She loved her work and enjoyed the intellectual challenges that came along with it. She was kind but clear in communicating the benefits of, and expectation that her patients comply with treatment and receive recommended vaccinations. A life-long learner, she would often research a medical issue for a patient or read a journal in her free time, and she enjoyed sharing her knowledge and experience with new physicians as a preceptor for the Michigan State University - Munson Family Practice Residency Program in Traverse City.
Susan was a devoted Wife and Mother who loved her family fiercely. Susan met Steve Fox, of Traverse City, in Ann Arbor during college and they hit it off immediately. They traveled from Ann Arbor to Traverse City on holidays and during the summer frequently. The couple married June 1, 1996, in Bay City, and enjoyed a loving and vibrant 25 year marriage. Sue was a proud and dedicated Mother of three, and she loved her children with all her soul. She supported her children in their many personal, academic, and extra-curricular successes, including robotics, music, and sports.
Susan spent many wonderful days and evenings with her family and friends on the water, at the beach, and on trips to the sandbar. She enjoyed traveling and experiencing new places and adventures, and she was graciously tolerant of her driver on their many road trips, near and far. On Saturday mornings, Susan enjoyed breakfast, coffee and conversations with family, friends and vendors at the farmers' market and she loved to cook dinner with fresh local ingredients the coming week. As summer turned to fall, Susan relished football Saturdays in Ann Arbor with family and friends, where she enjoyed time tailgating with family and friends at the Little House and football games at the Big House.
Susan is survived by her best friend and beloved husband of 25 years, Steven Richard Fox; loving children Abigail Susan, Sara Marais, and Evan Boyd; brother William James Smay (Patricia), nephew Paul Willette (Nicole, daughters Makayla and Olivia), and nieces Michelle Smay (son Ryan), Kathryn Smay (Robert Jones) and Angela Willette Rousse (Louis, son Austin and daughter Emma); her father-in-law Richard G. Fox, and brother-in-law, Michael Fox (Carmen and daughter Caroline). She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Dorothy (Waligora) Lehman, sister Carolyn Smay Willette, mother-in-law Betsy Fox, and Marjorie and Bud Fox, who were like grandparents to Susan.
There will be a time of visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022, at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan, 49684. A memorial service for Susan will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at First Congregational Church 6105 Center Road, Traverse City, Michigan, 49686.
Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to the University of Michigan Family Medicine Fund (victors.us/susanlehman) or the Fair Food Network Double Up Food Bucks program ( www.fairfoodnetwork.org ) which will support the opportunity for families in need to purchase fresh food from local farmers' markets in the region. Gifts made for the Double Up program should reference they are made "In honor of Susan Lehman Fox".