JUNE 29 • 2023 | 61

L

enore “Susie” Kent , 81, of West 
Bloomfield, died June 17, 2023. 
Susie was the only child of 
Morris and Renee Ager. She was born 
on July 15, 1941, in Detroit. 
Susie attended Mumford High 
School, the University of Michigan 
and graduated from Wayne 
State University. Soon there-
after, Susie and Michael 
began their special, 61-year 
marriage. The pair moved to 
Chicago, where Susie taught 
fifth grade in Chicago Public 
Schools while Michael attend-
ed medical school. Upon 
returning to the Detroit area, 
Susie and Michael welcomed 
their children, David, Sherri 
and Liz. After having kids, 
Susie had the desire to learn and 
entered graduate school, where she 
received a master’s degree in psychol-
ogy and went on to practice for more 
than 40 years. 
Family was a strong pillar in Susie’s 
life, and she was overjoyed to wel-
come 10 grandchildren. She cared for 
each as adoringly as the next and was 
incredibly supportive of her family 
and all their pursuits, no matter how 
big or small. Susie was even known to 
adopt the passions of those she loved 
to spend more time and feel closer to 
them.
Susie, or “Gommy,” as she was 
lovingly called by her family, was as 
caring and loving as she was strong. 
She loved this life and spent her years 
exploring every corner of it. Her 
passions were wide ranging, from 
beading and jewelry to scuba diving 
and yoga, she did it all. She and her 
husband, Michael, were known to 
take adventurous trips throughout the 
world, scuba diving and experiencing 
different cultures. Even at home, Susie 
found joy in the little things: being 
with family, spending time in nature, 
admiring and creating art and fero-
ciously reading. 
Among other passions, Susie’s thirst 

for knowledge was another pillar in 
her life. She was consistently yearning 
for more through books, documen-
taries, classes and even advanced 
degrees. She was highly knowledge-
able about psychology, nature, space, 
current events and was in constant 
pursuit for more. 
Famously, Susie was also 
one to speak her mind and 
live authentically. She never 
shied away from standing 
up for her beliefs or those 
of the people she loved. 
Anything Susie did, she did, 
be it a board game with a 
grandchild, an art project or 
the search for new informa-
tion about a topic. Without 
Susie, the world is a little 
duller than before, but fortunately 
many in her family have adopted her 
same thirst for knowledge, drive for 
authenticity, compassion and care for 
others and, most importantly, her love 
of life. 
Mrs. Kent is survived by her hus-
band of 61 years, Dr. Michael Kent; 
her children, Dr. David Kent and 
Jeanne Burks, Sherri and Danny 
Werner, and Liz and J.J. Modell; 
grandchildren, Lisa Kent, Sam Kent 
and Nicole Wenzel, Jeremy and 
Colleen Werner, Mitchell Werner, 
Baylee Werner, Ruby Modell, Lacey 
Modell, Skylar Modell and Nathan 
Modell; great-granddaughter, Stella 
Werner; brother-in-law and sister-in-
law, Tom and Sandy Kent. 
She was the adoring grandmother 
of the late Joshua Kent; the devoted 
daughter of the late Morris and the 
late Renee Ager. 
Interment was at Clover Hill Park 
Cemetery. Contributions may be 
made to Ovarian Cancer Research 
Alliance, P. O. Box 32141, New York, 
NY 10087-2141; or Jewish Hospice & 
Chaplaincy Network, 6555 W. Maple, 
West Bloomfield, MI 48322, jewish-
hospice.org/tribute. Arrangements by 
Ira Kaufman Chapel. 

She Thirsted for Learning

Lenore Kent

the late Al Smith; sister of Elaine Smith and 
the late Laura Hofberg. 
Contributions may be made to the 
Women’s Club, c/o Sheila Steinman, 7911 
Exeter Blvd. East, Tamarac, FL 33321, to 
be donated to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s 
Hospital. Arrangements by Star of David 
Memorial Chapel.

DR. SANFORD J. WIATRAK, 
94, of Hoover, Ala., formerly of 
Detroit, passed away peacefully 
June 19, 2023. 
He was a devoted and loving 
husband, father, grandfather 
and a good friend to all who knew him. He 
had a true passion for life, and he enthusi-
astically pursued many interests and hob-
bies throughout his life, including wood-
working, gardening, bird watching and 
collecting unusual cacti, among others. He 
loved to travel and saw much of the world 
with his beloved wife, Beverly, their close 
friends and family members.
Dr. Wiatrak graduated from Wayne State 
University and subsequently served in the 
United States Army during the Korean 
War. Afterwards, he graduated from the 
University of Detroit School of Dentistry 
and had a successful dental practice for 40 
years. 
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 
years, Beverly Wiatrak; sons and daughters-
in-law, Dr. Brian and Kelly Wiatrak, and Dr. 
Mitchell and Stacy Wiatrak; daughter and 
son-in-law, Carol and Philippe LeBaron; 
grandchildren, Kevin Wiatrak and Julia 
Godshaw, Jesse, Juliet, Katherine, Kiera, 
Bryce and Perri Rose Wiatrak, and Margot, 
Lea and Annie LeBaron. 
He was the loving brother of the late Fay 
and the late Seymour Genden; the dear 
brother-in-law of the late Arthur Fischer; 
the devoted son of the late Bernard and the 
late Jenny Wiatrak.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park 
Cemetery. Contributions may be made 
to ORT America Michigan Region, 6735 
Telegraph Road, Suite 375, Bloomfield Hills, 
MI 48301, ortamerica.org; Detroit Institute 
of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit, 
MI 48202, dia.org/support/donate; or to a 
charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel.

c. 1958

