Susan K. Pippel

On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Susan K. Pippel, passed away at age 72 after a lengthy illness. She was lovingly surrounded by her extended family.
Susan was born on August 18, 1948 in Rockford, Illinois to Thomas and Viola Williams. She attended grade school at St. Edwards, and graduated from Muldoon Catholic High School in 1966. On April 4, 1974, she married Raymond Pippel. They raised two children, Sara and Seth.
Susan had a passion for music. She learned piano at a young age, often playing at school, church and along with her siblings and cousins at family events. She was a member of the Rock Valley Chapter of Sweet Adelines for many years, and eventually served as director. She later served as director of the Sweet Adelines Prairie Echoes Chapter of DeKalb. She was well-recognized in the Sweet Adelines community internationally, earning the title of Master Director. Most recently, she served as director for the Rockford Mens’ Barbershop Chorus. She also served as choir director at several churches in the Rockford area over the years.
As much as Susan loved music, her biggest passion was her family, particularly her children and grandchildren. She was fiercely protective, selfless and generous when it came to her family. She was very close with her four siblings, and enjoyed frequent get-togethers with them, singing old Irish tunes, telling jokes, playing cards, and of course lots of laughter.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Viola Williams, parents-in-law, Rennie and Lucille Pippel, and recently by her sister, Andrea Williams. of Minneapolis. She is survived by her husband Raymond, her two children, Sara (James) of La Grange Park, and Seth (Morgan) of Rockford, grandchildren Kaleb, Violet, and Amelia, siblings Donna (James) Melcher of Rockford, Tom (Dottie) Williams Of Indiana, and Lisa (Barry) Miller of Florida. She is also survived by numerous siblings-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Susan’ s life will be held at 12 noon, on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the Blackhawk Athletic Club, 2023 Broadway, in Rockford, Illinois.