Susan Maddock

Susan Gail Robbins Maddock passed away at Valley Transitional Care Unit on Saturday, August 6, 2022 in the care of her children and spouse.

Susan Gail was born January 21, 1940 in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the child of Rodney Robbins and Selma (Pat) Patconak.  She was an only child.  Susan, in her early years, lived in the area of Belmont School, where she attended, later South Junior and Grand Forks Central.  Susan graduated with honors in 1958.  She was active in non-athletic activities and excelled in grammar and language.

Susan then attended the University of North Dakota.  She worked in the campus library; studied elementary education, graduating with honors in 1962 to become an elementary teacher.

On campus, Susan was active in campus literary, academic, and social activities.  She was an active member of Delta Gamma Sorority, a women’s fraternity dedicated to fostering friendship among women and promoting educational and social values. 

Upon graduating, Susan moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she taught first grade in Iron Mountain School.  She later married and bore two girls, Stacey and Melissa. She later separated and divorced, returning to Grand Forks in 1968 to restart her life and that of her children, intending to return to teaching. 

In 1969 Susan met Patrick Maddock, on a blind date, arranged by his law partner, Don Olson, who knew her through high school.  She was not intending to remarry and reluctantly agreed to a date.  Pat was smitten by her charm, and high moral character, and respectable lifestyle.  He never asked her to marry but at Webb’s Café, in the late summer of 1971 asked her “should I buy the house?”, to which she said, “Yes”.   Susan and Pat were married September 30, 1971 at First Presbyterian Church, the church of her birth. 

Susan was a stay home mom, raising her girls and caring for her husband.  She wanted Pat to have a child, and in January 1973, a son Daniel was born.  In 1975, secure in her marriage, she allowed Pat to adopt the girls; they were all Maddocks and a party was held. 

Susan was an excellent cook, homemaker, and especially baking.  She was a “scratch” cook and rarely had a failure.  Her specialties were cakes, and especially blueberry pie, with lard crust, making 25-30  a season to be frozen, to be shared and gifted with friends and family.

She loved helping her kids with their studies and practicing their piano.  She was not a “hockey mom” but loved the game – attending many. She taught them high moral and social values, a sense of purpose – had “mother instincts” that saved Daniel’s life. 

Susan later worked part-time in sales at Norby’s – she loved purses, scarves and costume jewelry.  Later Susan became owner/operator of “Bus 9 to Paradise Farm”, situated in Bottineau County. She had a great manager, Pat’s best friend Robert Henry, an exceptional farmer and friend. 

She was interested in color and design and planned and decorated her homes with taste and grace. To Susan it was about the “details”, and she loved the color pink.

Susan was a member of PEO, Chapter T and several other social groups.  She served as an active member of the Grand Forks Cancer Society, working with the late Dr. John LaLonde.  She was an avid and skilled duplicate bridge player a subject totally “Greek” to her family.  She excelled at the game and taught others its finer points. 

Politics were her passion.  She never ran for office but supported Republican candidates and actively participated.  She was President of the local Republican Women’s Group; and twice had her home on the Women’s House Tour.  She was editor of the Pachyderm Press.  She could hold her own in an argument and liked to "spar"- especially with her doctors.   Her Christmas letters were not traditional – they were mind captivating with a moral theme. Susan was neither rude nor indifferent to the needs of others.  She especially cared for the elderly.  She loved to entertain. She had friends from all walks of life – everyone was treated with the finest she had.  She was a loving and caring mother, wife, and friend. 

She loved Schnauzers, Sioux Hockey, a great bone-in ribeye steak, and to kick back in her chaise lounge.

Susans last years were limited by her deteriorating health.  She was blessed by an angel from God – “Tammy”, our respite care companion.  She had “her wits” to her and nursing staff described her as “funny”. 

Susan is survived by her husband, Patrick; daughters, Stacey Campbell (Chris), Melissa Anderson; a son, Daniel Maddock (Kate); and six grandchildren. 

The family prefers memorials to Valley Senior Living Transitional Care Unit where Susan received such loving and compassionate care.  Respectfully and lovingly, the family of Susan Gail Maddock.

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 12, 2022 in First Presbyterian Church, Grand Forks.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the  service in the church.  Interment will follow in Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks.