Susan Jean Fritts

Susan Jean Fritts, formerly of Enid, Oklahoma, beloved mother of Robert and Emily, passed away Saturday, January 8th, at the age of 71 in her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the loving care of Clarehouse and St. Francis Hospice, with her children at her side. She rejoins her parents, Robert & Jean Kygar, whom she lost at a young age, and is survived by her sister, Linda Tindell; her children, Robert Fritts and wife, Karen, and Emily Collins and husband, Chris; her many adoring and deeply loved grandchildren; and her lifelong friends and extended family. Susan was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she made lifelong friends in Wendy Hardgrove and her many other Campfire sisters who remained part of her life for the next 50+ years. After graduating Oklahoma State University (BS, 1972), Susan married Bill Fritts the same year, and later came to Enid as a young wife and mother in 1977. She later divorced and raised Robert and Emily as a single mom while building her career at Security National Bank (SNB), making more lifelong friends and moving up through various positions from switchboard operator through senior executive roles. Susan and her children were active members of First United Methodist Church in Enid where she supported and enjoyed their many activities, particularly as an ardent supporter and band mom throughout Emily's high school band career. After retiring from SNB in 2003, Susan relocated to Tulsa, Oklahoma to be closer to her children and she began a second career at Arvest Bank, where she returned to work she loved - taking care of people, both customers and her tellers. Susan began the greatest role and joy of her life in 2004, when she became Mimi for the first time, to granddaughter Katharine. For all their lives, Mimi held, loved, and cherished each of her grandkids - Kate, Will, Andrew, Matthew, and Finn. Additionally, from the first time she met her, Susan also deeply loved her bonus grandchild, Violet Simmons, and cared for her as her own. Once Susan loved you, it was forever. Beyond her family, friends, and bank families, Susan held many things close to her heart. She loved laughter, children, the Colorado mountains, and beautiful gardens wherever they might be found, including her own extensive gardens which she tended for many decades. More recently, Susan enjoyed reconnecting with friends through the Green Country Home Economists club and she volunteered at local nursing homes to provide comfort and companionship to people in need of it. Susan deeply cared for the hospice mission and volunteered over the last 30 years after seeing firsthand how it helped a dear friend through difficult end of life care. Hospice would be a recurring theme in her life, helping and being helped, with two more family members and eventually herself. In the end, she was surrounded by all she loved - family, friends, gardens, and hospice. She laughed each day, even through pain, and is deeply loved and missed by all those who loved her and knew her. Susan's memorial service is scheduled for 11am at Redeemer Covenant Church, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, directed by Fitzgerald's Southwood Colonial Chapel. In honor of the care she received and of one of the things important in her life, please consider donations to a local hospice in lieu of flowers.

Susan Jean Fritts

February 15, 1950 - January 8, 2022