Susan Lee (Johnson) Breining

Chatham

After a 7-year battle with breast cancer, Susan Lee (Johnson) Breining, age 57, died peacefully on February 19, 2026, surrounded by love at Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Susan was born in Munising, MI on July 30, 1968. She grew up in Chatham, MI and graduated from Eben High School. She attended Ferris State University and after graduating moved to the Carolinas where she had a beautiful life, enjoying the Carolina weather and Southern living. She was employed in the hospitality field and later in the human resources field. She made a special home with her husband Steve and their dogs, most recently Kevin and Ronnie. Susan was an animal lover, and it was evident in how she rescued her dogs and provided a wonderful forever home for them.

She is survived by her loving husband Steve Breining, mother Barbara Johnson, sisters Kelly (Ken) Heitman and Jane Ruska, mother-in-law Beth Langan, 2 nieces Amber Ruska and Dana Heitman, 2 nephews Nicholas Ruska (Julia McClean) and Paul Heitman, as well as numerous extended family and special friends from the Eben High School class of 1986 and friends she made through the years. Susan was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Johnson.

The family would like to thank the staff at Levine Cancer Institute and Levine and Dickson Hospice House, who took good care of her for the last few years of her life.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time.

Susan’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her – in quiet moments, shared stories, and the lasting imprint of her love.