Sue (Ursu) Bosze

Sue S. Bosze, age 94, of Grand Rapids, MI, died June 3, 2023 at University of Michigan Health-West Hospital from complications of an acute illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vasile and Licheria (Popp) Ursu; her siblings Pete, Paul, Don, Roy, Irene Pope, Ilene (Arlene) Brechka, Nastasia (Ginger) Punga, John, and Eli; husband Joseph Bosze; and son Stephen C. Bosze.

The youngest of ten children born to Romanian immigrants in Kayville, Saskatchewan, Canada, she was only eight when her mother died. Her siblings assumed pivotal roles during her adolescence and early adulthood, supporting and guiding her education and early work experiences. Skipping two grades in her K-12 education in Kayville, she moved to Toronto at 17 to attend business school. She then moved to Windsor, Ontario and worked as a bank teller for the Bank of Montreal, and modeled wedding dresses for a bridal shop. Sue next held the position of credit manager for BF Goodrich Rubber Co in Detroit. Her final employment position was Office and Credit Manager for Titan Tire Company, Detroit, a tire wholesaler for the trucking industry.  Sue was a working mother long before doing so was acceptable, and her intelligence, determination, and integrity helped her succeed in the male-dominated arenas in which she worked.

Traveling daily between Windsor and Detroit, Sue caught the eye of Joseph Bosze, working as Traffic Captain at the Detroit Windsor Tunnel.  Married in 1948, they welcomed two sons, Stephen and William. She called them her ‘blue chip stock’ and enthusiastically supported their school, sports, church, and scouting activities. Her pride in their accomplishments as they ventured forth in their careers was boundless.  Summer vacations spent at the family cabin ‘up north’ created numerous special memories and friendships. Family was everything to Sue, and gatherings for holidays, special occasions, or ‘just because’ were opportunities for her and her sisters to demonstrate their love, hospitality and culinary talents.  Sue became a naturalized US citizen in 1959, and took her voting responsibilities seriously. 

Sue served her community in various capacities, including church deacon, volunteer and prayer chain member; neighborhood association board member; peer counselor for breast cancer survivors in both Dearborn and Grand Rapids; dedicated participant in Relay For Life events in Dearborn and Grand Rapids; and election worker in Grand Rapids (a role she gave up only due to the pandemic).  She had great sales skills and her garage sales were legendary (could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo!) She enjoyed gin rummy, a good joke, tough Sudoku puzzles, the “Pickles” Sunday comic, rubber stamping/card making, current events, and laughter. And above all, her family.

Sue embraced the role of mother-in-law with a grace and wisdom that allowed the ‘in-law’ part of the title to fade and an open, honest friendship bloom. But “Grandma” and “Great-Grammy” were her most treasured titles.  Nothing warmed her heart more than being with, seeing or hearing from the ‘grands.’ She was so very proud of the accomplishments of her granddaughter Alaina and ‘grandson’ Michael, and looked forward every day to news of EJ and Beau and their latest antics.

Sue’s ability to connect with people was unmatched. She had dear friends of all ages. In conversation you had her full attention. She listened with her heart, and her empathy allowed her to offer appropriate advice when asked.  Her life experiences provided the basis for her deep sense of gratitude, compassion and generosity towards all she encountered. “We are ALL God’s children” was her mantra. Her strong faith sustained her through her husband’s illnesses, son Stephen’s early death, her own breast cancer diagnoses (twice), the challenge of relocating her residence from Dearborn to Grand Rapids in her mid-70s, the passing of her siblings one by one, the pandemic, and her own infirmities.  She fought her latest challenge with all she had, but grew tired. Sue reached out, and the hand of the Lord guided her home.

Mourning her absence in their daily lives, but rejoicing in her attainment of heavenly rest, are her son and daughter-in-‘love’, William (Bill) and Karyn Bosze, Grand Rapids, MI; granddaughter Alaina (Michael) Davis and great-grandsons EJ and Beau Davis, Janesville, WI; niece Melinda Brechka, Livonia, MI, who was like a daughter to her; sister-in-law Mary Ursu, Moose Jaw, Sask., Canada; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends in both the United States and Canada.

The family wishes to extend gratitude to the medical staff of UMHealth-West Hospital ER Dept, 2nd, 4th and 5th floors for their professional and compassionate care during Sue’s final illness. 

A Visitation will be held in Grand Rapids on Monday, June 19, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4291 Cascade Road SE, Grand Rapids MI.  Prayers will be led by Pastor George Davis who serves at From The Heart Christian Community Church at 7:30 pm.

A visitation will be held in Dearborn, MI on Thursday, June 29, from 1 - 8 p.m. at Voran Funeral Home, 23701 Ford Road, Dearborn, MI.  Funeral services will be on Friday, June 30, 2023 at 11 AM at First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn, 600 N. Brady Street, Dearborn, MI.  Relatives and friends may meet the family one hour prior to services at the church. Inurnment at Cadillac Memorial Gardens West, Westland, MI immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, do a kindness for someone in Sue’s memory. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to a charity of one’s choice.

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