Susan Ann Sabinash (nee Bajczyk), known affectionately as Suzi by her friends and family, passed away on December 22, 2025, at the age of 62. Born on April 5, 1963, in Milwaukee. Sue was treated with the love and care of her Aurora Cancer Care Team in Mt. Pleasant for years. Her final days were spent surrounded by family at home, where she gracefully concluded her courageous battle with cancer.

Her relationship with God provided her with the strength during difficult times and amplified her joy during moments of celebration. Her faith was evident in the way she lived her life, always striving to be a reflection of the love and compassion she found in her beliefs.

Those who knew Sue would describe her as the epitome of friendliness. Her infectious laugh and sense of humor were a source of light and joy for all around her. Sue's ability to find humor in the everyday was a gift that made life's challenges more bearable, not just for her, but for everyone she encountered. Her playful spirit never failed to uplift the spirits of her friends and family.

Beyond her humor, Sue was a loving individual who cherished her relationships deeply. Her love was a nurturing force, and she had an extraordinary ability to make people feel seen, heard, and valued. Sue's compassion extended beyond her immediate circle, touching the lives of many in the wider community through her acts of kindness.

Sue's legacy is one of love, laughter, and kindness. Her memory will be cherished and kept alive in the stories shared by those who knew her best. As we reflect on her life, we are reminded of the impact one person can have on the lives of many. Sue's spirit will continue to inspire and guide us, just as it did when she walked among us.

In honoring Sue's life, we acknowledge the void her passing leaves in our hearts. Yet, we take solace in the knowledge that she lived a life full of purpose, joy, and love. Her journey on this earth, though too short, was one marked by the profound connections she made and the lives she touched. Sue will be deeply missed, but her light will never fade from the lives of those who had the privilege of knowing her.

St. John Kanty School class of 1977

Sue was a 1981 graduate of St. Mary's High School in Milwaukee, where she made many life-long friends and lasting fun memories. She also had fond memories of all the Nuns and faculty who encouraged, supported, and coached her. Sue was a standout three-sport athlete, and in 1981, St. Mary's won the state basketball championship. To quote Sue, "some of the best years of my life."

Sue continued her education and athletics at Milwaukee Area Technical College, where she played basketball, baseball, and volleyball. In 1982-83 she received MATC's athlete of the year award. She even received a congratulatory letter for her accomplishments from then Congressman Gerald Kleczka.

After graduating from MATC, Sue began her career at the Northwestern Mutual Life/Goris Agency in downtown Milwaukee and later became an insurance underwriter for the NML/Ron Krizek Agency in Elm Grove.

Though Sue enjoyed her career, she much more loved being home raising our sons and our dog, Benny.

Loving wife of Steven. Dear and loving mom of Sutton (Alexis) and Samuel. Soon to be Grandma of Vienna Sue. And our new dog "George", Dear sister of Mary (Rick) Grabczyk, Sally (Jeff) Perry, Jim Bajczyk, and Jerry (Patti) Bajczyk. Dear Sister-in-law of Joy (Dan) Miller and Jean (Travis) Izydorek. Loving Aunt of Maggie Bishop and Adam Bajczyk. Special friend of the late Diane Dahlke and godmother to Joe "Schmoe" Knapp. Preceded in death by her parents, Norbert and Dorothy Bajczyk, brother John Bajczyk, and In-laws Eugene and Nancy Sabinash.

Sue was fun-loving with a great sense of humor.... She loved Yellowstone and most of all the Taylor Sheridan drama series, most recently we were watching Landman... She loved Rod Stewart, John Denver, and most '80s bands, Packers, Brewers and the Blue Angels. She was a great wife, mom, and was so excited to become a Grandma.

The family would like to thank Father Tim Kitzke, who prayed over Susan during her last days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Visitation at the Max A. Sass & Sons at Mission Hills Chapel in Franklin on Saturday, January 10, from 10:30 AM-1:30 PM. Prayer Service at 1:30 PM. Private burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

One More Day

One could ask was it worth the fight

All the pain and suffering

All the poking and prodding

All the medicines taken to get a little bit of peace

All the poison that filled your body to cure the uncurable

The inevitable still coming closer

Till I saw you take your last breath

Was it still worth the fight you might ask

I'd say yes

Even if it meant only one more day

One more day to be together by your side

One more day to hold you tightly in my arms

Loving you always and forever (Your loving Husband)

My Words for Sue

We are all here today with a heavy heart but if you knew Sue, today Sue would want us to have a good time, sharing your memories with her

Sue was most excited and happy when there was a gathering of family and friends

So today we are going to celebrate a wonderful life and not the sadness of Sue’s passing

Sue was born a south side girl

It’s the place she was baptized

It’s the place where she learned her ABC’s

It’s a place she received her 1st communion

It’s the place where she had a dog name Sassy

It’s a place where she led a marching band

It’s a place where she learned to play first bass

It’s a place of first romance, an endless love record and a dozen purple roses

It’s a place where she met her best friend Diane

It’s a place where she met me

Sue loved being a St Mary’s girl/she would say to me "some of the best years of my life she spent here"

Let Celebrate this place

It’s the place she made lifelong friends

It’s the place she became “big bird”

It’s a place where she sang on a Christmas album

It’s the place she won a championship

It’s a place she would be crowned Queen

It's a place where see met good friend Cindy W, who moved to the New York City, visits led to taking out a bite of the "Big Apple"

It’s a place where 20 years later she would rekindle those same friendships

Let’s celebrate her time at MATC where she was honored with as the athlete of the year

Let’s celebrate her playing on the diamond with spirited friends where championships were won

Let’s celebrate the good times after the games where friends and teammates gathered to rejoice whether victorious or in defeat

Let’s celebrate the people Sue experienced working with at the NML’s Goris and Krizek agencies

Sue would have had a great life if it ended here

But she had a second act

Let’s celebrate Sue's marriage

Let’s celebrate Sue's time in paradise with me

Let’s celebrate the birth of our two boys

Let’s celebrate Sue’s love for Benny the family dog

Let's celebrate the chasing around the boy's to twi-nite baseball and youth football games

Let celebrate Sue commitment to our community and the families she befriended

Let's celebrate Sue's fundraising efforts to acquire new playground equipment

Her time spent watching and overseeing young middle school children during lunch recess

Her efforts to bring about a new baseball diamond for the high school boys

Let celebrate Sue's love for her parents, brothers, sister, aunts’ uncles’ cousins’ niece nephew and in-laws

Let’s celebrate the love Sue shared for all her friendships

Let’s celebrate Sus's special love for our boys

Sue's love for her dolo, Lexi, and soon to be granddaughter Vienna Sue

Let’s celebrate the wonderful and loving grandma Sue would have been

Today Let us celebrate a wonderful life

Today let’s not wallow in the sorrow of the passing of Susan, there will be time for that

Today Sue is looking down on all of us from heaven, smiling at the gathering of family and so many friends

Today once again let’s celebrate the joy and fond memories Sue has given to all of us

Today Sue is with us, tomorrow Sue can share good times once again with those that past before her

To the dears dear of all the dears,

Love you Susie Sue

And don’t forget to keep the light on for me, so that someday I can find my way home to be with you again

Sam's words for mom

I want to thank everyone who has reached out to me, my brother, and my dad. I’ve seen and read every message and comment. It has been such a comfort reading so many wonderful things and being reminded of what a true blessing my mom was. I had the privilege not only of calling her my mom, but one of my best friends. The relationship we built was one of the most beautiful things you can have in life. These last few years are the ones I remember most fondly—it felt like we were closer than we had ever been. Our trips to Las Vegas were definite highlights. I haven’t been able to go through all of our photos and videos just yet, but I know they’re filled with laughter and joy and truly embody who my mom was. Even with everything she was going through, she was always the most joyful person in the room. The strength and courage she showed were nothing short of admirable. One of the greatest blessings, funny enough, was my mom getting a cell phone. The amount of shit we gave her while she tried to learn how to use it was hysterical. My brother and I would wake up to good morning texts every single day without fail—sometimes the day would be wrong, but it never mattered. I talked to my mom every single day, and it meant the world to me. She would always complain about staring at the ceiling while I talked because I’d set my phone down. We ended every call with a battle of “I love you more.” Eventually, I stopped trying to win—she always did. My last words to my mom were that she did everything she was supposed to do, that she didn’t have to fight anymore, and that we all loved her more. To you, Mom—you were such a light in everyone’s lives. You were the brightest in mine. Even though you’re no longer here with us, I don’t believe that light fades. I believe it shines just as bright, only in a different way. I know she’ll be with me—and with all of us—in everything we do. I’m going to embrace this next chapter of our relationship, and I can’t wait to see all that we do together. Please be soft, gentle, and kind to yourselves, and be there for one another—just like my mom was always there for everyone else.

Sutton's words for mom

Instead of getting up here and telling stories or trying to summarize my mom's life, I want to talk about what she taught me without ever saying a word.

My mom had more reasons than most to be bitter.

She carried loss, disappointment, and struggles that a lot of people never saw.

Life wasn't always gentle with her.

And yet that's not how anyone in this room will remember her.

We remember her smile.

Her warmth.

The way she made anyone feel welcome.

The way she could, and would, talk with anyone.

The way she was genuinely delighted to see all of us.

What my mom taught me is that joy is not the absence of pain.

It's a choice you make while carrying it.

And on a day like today, that's what I'm holding onto.

Losing her hurts in a way that words can't fully express.

But if she taught me anything, it's that pain doesn't get the final say.

Not today, and not ever.