Suzanne Stephan
04/12/1948 to 02/06/2026Long time Washtenaw County Bar Association member Suzanne Culliton Stephan, of Ann Arbor, died February 6, 2026 at the age of 77.
She is survived by her loving husband, Craig, their two children, Erica and Richard, and her sister Barbara. Her beloved brother Richard predeceased her.
Suzanne was born to Richard and Marion Culliton on April 12, 1948 in Buffalo, New York. She graduated from Wells College in 1970, meeting Craig at a mixer in Ithaca, NY. She began studies for a masters degree in philosophy at Cornell, ultimately completing it at the University of Michigan.
After two years in East Lansing, Michigan, Suzanne and her family moved to Rochester, NY, where Suzanne worked for several years in the public relations department of Strong Memorial Hospital.
After moving back to Michigan, Suzanne received her law degree from the University of Detroit. With a great love of children, she volunteered at the C. S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor and worked for many years as a children's advocate attorney for the Washtenaw County Juvenile court.
Suzanne loved gardening, both indoors and out. She loved all animals and had a number of cats, starting with a stray one who followed Richard, who was then a little boy, home, and others who were retired "blood donor" cats. She was a Jazzercise fan for over 20 years, making a number of friends among the other members. Michigan and especially its lighthouses became subjects of great interest to her.
Suzanne had an uncanny memory for dates, recalling exact dates for any number of events (fortunately for her husband, whose memory is sorely lacking in this area).
In accordance with her wishes, a memorial gathering will be held in the spring in Buffalo, where her ashes will be interred in her family plot.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Save the Children or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
