Susanne

VanderStarre

Susanne O’Neal VanderStarre went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, November 5. She was 93.

She was the beloved wife for 56 years to Evert VanderStarre, who passed away in 2014, and vibrant Mom to Janna VanderWoude (John) of Baltimore MD, Paul VanderStarre (Carol DeBoer) of Zeeland MI, Adrian Starre of Portland OR, and Marta VanderStarre of Naples FL. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren adored their “Grandma Susie”: Julia Horn (Joseph, Avery & Miles), Nathan VanderWoude (Sienna Glavin), Laura VanderStarre, Kenton VanderWoude (Abby Fortunato), and Rachel VanderStarre (Joe Diakonis). An only child, Susanne valued her large extended family, including many cousins (Farrar family) in the Cincinnati area, and many VanderStarre nieces and nephews in West Michigan and beyond. She is survived by dear sisters-in-law Joan (VanderStarre) Poll and Margie (Vigh) VanderStarre and brother-in-law Alvin Wychers.

Born in Los Angeles CA to Harold and Dolly (Farrar) O’Neal, Susanne fell in love with the violin at age 4 and started playing at age 5. Her passion for the instrument never wavered. Her first public recital was at the Hollywood Bowl at age 13, and she played in the Compton Community Orchestra throughout her school years, raising chickens and working other odd jobs to afford her lessons and bus fare. She earned a college scholarship for music performance at Pepperdine University, where she attended two years.

As a teenager, she was introduced to the Christian Reformed Church, which led her to transfer to Calvin College in Grand Rapids MI. There she earned her degree in music education in 1955. She taught orchestra in Grand Rapids area schools and joined the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. She continued to play for GRSO for 50 years, proudly watching it grow from a small community orchestra to a highly respected professional symphony—and more proudly watching many students whom she “started on their first instrument” join the orchestra.

Susanne shared her love of the violin and music performance in numerous other local musical ensembles and chamber music groups, and through teaching. She helped ignite the first Suzuki-method violin school in West Michigan and was an active member and supporter for many years of the St. Cecilia Music Society in Grand Rapids. She also served on the GRSO Women’s Committee and with the youth orchestra. After retirement, she continued to perform with the Naples (FL) Orchestra & Chorus, until shoulder replacements finally sidelined her playing career … at age 83!

Susanne was an active member of churches throughout her lifetime. In addition to her obvious musical contributions, she took special joy in her service as a leader in the Coffee Break Ministries at Princeton CRC in Kentwood MI, and as a Stephen Minister at Vanderbilt Presbyterian in Naples FL. She and Evert regularly volunteered at Café of Life in Bonita Springs FL, a faith-based organization providing meals and other essential human needs to the community.

Susanne also loved travel and was grateful to enjoy adventures around the world with her husband, friends, and, of course, her violin. Next to playing, though, she was perhaps happiest on and in the water, enjoying many excursions on their boat with friends and family, and daily chats with neighbors in and around the pool in their beloved Bermuda Bay I community in Naples.

Susanne & Evert met on a blind date to a Michigan football game in 1957 and were together thereafter. They raised their family in Kentwood and first moved to Naples in 1996; they made Florida their primary home in 2004. Declining health prompted her return to West Michigan in 2024. She maintained her hopeful spirit, sharp wit and generous heart until the end, earning the affection and respect of those who helped care for her at Royal Atrium (Zeeland) and Medilodge of Holland.

A funeral service of Witness to the Resurrection and internment will be scheduled early next year at Vanderbilt Presbyterian. Remembrances may be left here, and memorial contributions to the St. Cecilia Music Society, the Grand Rapids Symphony, and/or Café of Life are graciously appreciated.