Sue Potasnik

Sue Potasnik, a skilled card player whether she held the right bower or nothing but nines, was dealt in by Esther Brown Parker on February 25, 1938 and played her last hand on November 21, 2025. Sue played life like she played cards: boldly and confidently. As she always said, “a card laid is a card played.”

Long before her favorite card-table sayings became lore, Sue was already shaping her bold approach to life. She spent her humble early years in Saginaw (MI), graduating from Arthur Hill High School in June 1956. Shortly after, Sue enrolled in St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing: a moment of calling trump that set the course for a long and varied career. She delighted her grandchildren with stories of unexpected plays during nursing school, including times she snuck out with her pants rolled up under her skirt—always noting that a little mischief was fine, so long as you didn’t get caught. Sue graduated as a nurse in August 1959 with a group of women who would remain friends throughout the years.

With the confidence of someone unafraid to “go alone” when she needed to, Sue’s nursing career spanned multiple states; however, no place caught her heart in quite the same way as Carmel (IN). Sue’s understanding of when to lead drove her to expand her work beyond the hospital, where she became one of the first women elected to office: serving on the Carmel City Council (1980–1988, president in 1983) as well as the Plan Commission (1980–1991). Sue was also a regular volunteer in the Friends Library Bookstore at the Carmel Clay Public Library.

Sue left her mark not only through service, but through the relationships she built and sustained, often around her own table. When friends and family came over, they would typically settle onto the “interview couch,” snacking on cheese and crackers or mixed nuts while Sue presided from her “throne,” the living room wing chair. From there, she dealt conversation with the same fairness and clarity she brought to every hand, moving easily from topic to topic. It was no surprise that her love of cards led her to bridge and another circle of lifelong friends. An evening out with Sue, whether at Woodland Country Club or another Carmel restaurant, was never a short one; someone would always stop by to say hello, and the conversation would simply widen to make room.

While Sue ran her home and family like a tight table—no whining, no cheating, and above all, no dramatics—she also established a series of beloved family traditions. Annual “Grandma Sue” days, where her grandchildren spent the day one-on-one with her, were always a hit. These days often included an obscene amount of sugar, at least one new toy, and the profound experience of sitting down with an adult who truly wanted to listen to them. Another long-standing favorite was time in late July spent at “the cottage” in Northern Michigan. Sue’s days at the cottage were divided between watching grandchildren dive off the dock and watching everyone try (and fail) to beat her at euchre that night. Her family remembers the keen interest she showed in following their activities, keeping up with their friends, and getting to know who they were as they grew up. A brief phone call or conversation was impossible: calling to wish her a happy birthday often led to a conversation that was at least an hour long.

Those rituals at the cottage became the foundation of a legacy her family carries with them today. Sue will live on in every post-dinner shuffle at the lake, well-worn wing chair, or order of “the house cab,” as well as every family member who instinctively knows when to call trump, when to pass, and when to go alone.

A private family service will be held in February to honor a life so fully played. If you are inclined to make a memorial donation, please select an organization/effort that is meaningful to you as there are many people and organizations in need.