Susan Joann Hipp passed away at her residence surrounded by her family on January 26, 2026. She was born in Fort Wayne, IN on June 30, 1974, a daughter of Katherine S. Bishop and William M. Maki.
Susan is preceded in death by her mother, Katherine (Kathie) S. Bishop (August 3, 2021), father, William (Bill) M. Maki (November 2, 2025), and step-mother, Peggy L. Maki (March 19, 2024).
Susan was enriched through travel and her many satisfying personal and professional relationships that literally spanned the globe. She loved to travel, including trips and cruises around the world with her husband, summer vacations with family and children, and adventurous trips with friends and coworkers. In college, Susan studied abroad in France where she fell in love with the beauty of European art and culture. When she wasn’t traveling, she enjoyed cooking for her family, spending time playing games, watching TV series, reading books, biking, and attending social events with her friends. Susan was a strong advocate for respect, tolerance, and the inclusion of all people
Susan graduated from Manchester University, Indiana. After many years of service at the Veterans Administration, she joined the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) where she became Executive Director in 2021. Susan dedicated her professional life to road safety as a uniquely passionate, skilled and collaborative nonprofit leader. The NETS board recently presented her with the inaugural Susan Hipp Road Safety Collaborative Leadership award and credited her, in large part, with taking the organization global. Susan’s presentation and efforts for NETS made impacts nationally and globally.
She is survived by her husband, Brian Hipp, children, Quinn and Andrew Gillies; step-children, Gabby, Olivia, and Tommy Hipp; sister, Karen (Jeff) Hampton; step-sisters, JoLynn (Jim) Conley, Heather Houghton, and step-brother, Tim Houghton; niece, Karissa Hampton; and step-nephews, Travis and Tyson Conley.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 327 Woods Mill Rd. Manchester, MO 63011.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance. www.lobularbreastcancer.org