Susan Callista Garbarino

Susan Callista Garbarino, age 72 of Caledonia, was called home May 26, 2024, after a lengthy and brave battle with cancer, with her family by her side, including her husband of 25 years, Forrest "Bert" Nelson.

Susan strived to live a life of goodness, and she consistently hit her mark - and may that be the everlasting lesson she leaves her five children Brian Paul, Anthony Paul, Dana Paul, Colleen (Jacob) Westervelt, and David (Erica) Paul.

Susan was born in Detroit on Oct. 23, 1951, to parents Arthur Andrew Garbarino and Dorothy Dilworth Garbarino, and was a sister (and faithful friend) to Joan Boyce, Rosemary Garbarino, Gael Garbarino Cullen, Patrice (Timothy) Muldowney, Katherine (Bill Owens) Garbarino, and the late Daniel Garbarino.

She attended Wayne State University, earning a bachelor's in fine arts, before moving to Paw Paw and then Caledonia to raise a family. She later attended Grand Valley State University, where she earned her master's in education, before embarking on an 18 year career as an art teacher with Hopkins Public Schools. Art was her first passion, but it wasn't her last. In retirement, she continued volunteer teaching to children at St. Therese, her home for faith and devoted worship for more than 30 years. Susan helped these students with reading and comprehension, practicing Mass readings, writing, and what she considered the “bane of her existence” - story problems.

Susan spent much of her retirement traveling around the world with Bert by her side. No trips were more special than her father's native Italy, though there were too many "close seconds" to count. She designed and printed meticulous photo books after each trip, the one on the coffee table letting her guests know where she'd last been.

Susan was endlessly empathetic, and advocated for life. She loved horseback riding, reading, laughing, tchotchkes, decorating for Christmas, FaceTiming with her kids, bingeing TV shows (at least, when she could get Hulu or Netflix to work), a good glass (OK, bottle) of red, the Tigers (well, once upon a time, anyway), shopping in Saugatuck, denim jackets and moccasins, vests and hoodies, Friday Fundays, Bumpy Cake, catch-up lunches with her retired teacher pals, barbecues, evening walks around the neighborhood, sending cards, and celebrating the successes of others. But nothing ever could top quiet nights on the deck, overlooking her beloved and peaceful Round Lake. Then, later in life, those quiet nights weren't so quiet anymore, and she was just fine with that. As the family grew, she enjoyed her gaggle of grandchildren as they made their continuous loop from the lake to the freezer, where "Gigi" always kept a stash of popsicles. She enjoyed one last Mother's Day to soak in the chaos, and nosh on her favorite snack, Triscuits and cheese. "The Geege" tolerated a lot in her life - and her children thank her, profusely, for that - but she never tolerated a bad word being said about anybody. Meanness was unacceptable; forgiveness was an ultimatum. Her go-to line when a conversation turned cynical was always, "You're breaking my heart." Now, for the very first time, she's broken ours.

Susan is survived by grandchildren Brenden Paul, Kaitlyn Paul, Mackenzie Paul, Antonio Frazier, Callista Westervelt, Declan Paul, Daniel Westervelt, and Soren Paul; great-grandchildren Levi Paul and Ella Cardosa; many nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Marga Meier; and brother-in-law, Jack (Dawn) Nelson; "special" son, Kenny Monson; and dear friend, Father Bob Schikora. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother; brothers-in-law Daniel Boyce and Steven Cullen; grandson, Griffin Paul; father-in-law, Enos Nelson; and mother-in-law, Norma Wood.

A visitation is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2024 at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home in Wayland, with prayers of the Rosary at 7 p.m. A time of reflection will take place 10-10:45 a.m. Saturday, June 1 at St. Therese Catholic Church, 128 Cedar St., Wayland, MI 49348, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Therese Catholic Church with Father Bob Schikora officiating. A private family graveside committal will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Susan's name to Faith Hospice, whose kind and caring staff made certain she was comfortable in her final days, as she transitioned to her next chapter, while maintaining her sense of humor until the very end. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.kubiakcookwayland.com in Susan's online guest book.