Barbara Sutton Munson, M.D.  (AA 1959)

Age 66, of Owosso, passed away Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at Memorial Healthcare.

Dr. Barbara Sutton Munson
Chronicler of the Class of 1959

Barbara joined the medical staff at Memorial Healthcare in 1975.

Barbara was born January 23, 1941, in Marion Springs, the daughter of Russell E. and Zelma Orlaine (nee-DeVries) Sutton.  She was a graduate of Adelphian Academy in Holly, Michigan, and Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.  She went to medical school at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California.  Her first internship was at the Kettering Memorial Hospital in Kettering, Ohio, and she completed her residencies at the University of Michigan and the William Beaumont Hospital.

She was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and was Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics.  She was a Fellow in The American Academy of Pediatrics, a member of the American Medical Association, and of the Michigan State Medical Society.

She is the daughter of the late Russell E. Sutton and the late Zelma Orlaine Sutton.  She is the beloved mother of Loren Munson and his wife Krystal, Leslie Munson and his fiancé Stacie Ketchum, and Cassidy Munson.  She is the beloved sister of Dorothy Knecht and her husband William, Ardith Trubey and her husband Ed, Linette Kelley, Christina Peterson and her husband Kris, John Sutton and his wife, Janice, Glenn Sutton and his wife Kathleen, and the late Edith Sutton.  She is also survived by her three grandchildren and seven nieces and eight nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Munson's memory to either of the following:

Memorial Healthcare Foundation Fit Kids Program,  826 W. King St., Owosso, MI  48867 or Cassidy Munson Education Fund, c/o Roger Knecht, 262 East Haven Drive, Owosso, MI  48867 or Owosso Seventh-day Adventist Church Education/Student Assistance Fund, 1218 North Hickory Street, PO Box 222, Owosso, MI  48867.

From the Argus Press in Owosso:

Angel On Earth Has Gone To Heaven--

In my opinion, Barbara Munson was an angel on earth.

Dr. Munson died Wednesday at Memorial Healthcare, the same Owosso Hospital at which she served so faithfully since 1975.

This lovely, compassionate lady so magically skilled with a bedside manner that should have been patented, brought my daughters through serious bouts of meningitis with uncommon care in today's doctoring standards.

First there was the all-night vigil with Meri Beth, followed by the drop-everything emergency surgery with Sandie.  And then there were the house calls.  No, not personal visits to our home, but phone calls to check on the girls -- and, I suspect, mom and dad, too.

I'm sure hundreds of others from throughout Shiawassee County can relate similar stories.

She was that kind of lady--that kind of doctor.

Barbara Munson made extreme use of her 66 years on earth.  Now, in my opinion, she's an angel in Heaven.

Next is the notice from Cheryl Peterson, President and CEO of Memorial Healthcare:

Dear Medical Staff Members, Employees and Volunteers:

Today, we lost a dear friend, a gifted compassionsate physician, and a dedicated Memorial ambassador--Dr. Barbara Munson.  Together, we mourn the passing of this kind hearted and generous member of the Memorial family.

Dr. Munson first came to Memorial in 1975 and has served pediatric patients and families steadfastly for many years.  She carried a deep, heartfelt passion for her patients and families that was clear for all to see.  She has literally touched thousands of lives.  As a community of caregivers and as a Shiawassee community, our world is better because she lived among us and was one of us.  While she will be greatly missed, our memories of her will be of a compassionate and gentle person who cared deeply about others.

Our hearts go out to her family at this time.  We support them with our thoughts, prayers, and acts of compassion.  For ourselves, we are privileged to have known Dr. Barbara Munson and to have called her friend.