Susan Jo Colaccino

Susan Jo (Storey) Colaccino, age 77, of Novi, MI, passed away on February 5, 2026. She was born October 16, 1948, in Thornton, CO, the daughter of Britton and Bertha (Garner) Storey. Susan married Michael Colaccino on March 23 in 1986. She is survived by her children, Katherine (Matthew) James and Nicholas (Aya) Colaccino; her grandchild Britton James and step-grandchildren Maegan and Isaac James; brother Brian (Lisa) Storey. She was preceded in death by her sister Barbara "Isadora" Storey. As a child, Susie enjoyed playing the piano and treasured summer trips to Shoshone, Idaho, where she fished alongside her father. Britton was a pilot for United Airlines, and because his time at home was precious, the moments they shared together were especially meaningful to her. Those early experiences of family, adventure, and steadiness shaped the way Susan would later build her own home and career. Susan felt called to teaching from a young age and pursued a degree in elementary education. She began her career in rural Meade, Colorado, later moving to Longmont, where she taught every elementary grade level. Fourth grade, however, held a special place in her heart. She delighted in that “in-between” age—when children begin to stretch toward independence yet still carry the wide-eyed wonder of childhood. Susan created classrooms that were safe, joyful, and steady. She believed deeply in her students’ potential and poured patience, creativity, and care into each one. Teaching was not simply her profession; it was her vocation. In her mid-thirties, Susan met Mike, beginning the final love story of her life. They were married on March 23, 1986. In 1988, they welcomed their daughter, Katherine Jo, and Susan embraced motherhood with the same devotion she brought to her classroom. In 1991, the family moved to Holland, Michigan, where Susan taught at Lakewood Elementary and where Nicholas Anthony was born in 1992. During these years, she formed close friendships with neighborhood families and fellow parents, building a circle of community wherever she lived. In 1999, the family moved to Novi, Michigan, and Susan made the decision to step away from teaching to be home with her children. Though she left the classroom, she never stopped being a teacher at heart. She volunteered often, attended every dance recital and sporting event, and was a constant, steady presence in Katherine and Nicholas’s lives. She had the gift of showing up—again and again—with encouragement, organization, and unwavering love. Susan was also a devoted member of P.E.O., an educational philanthropic organization she joined as a young teacher. Through every move and every season of life, she remained active, forming lasting friendships, serving in leadership roles, and supporting opportunities for women’s education. The mission resonated deeply with her lifelong belief in the transformative power of learning. Susan always felt a pull to return to her family home in Colorado and was challenged by the distance living in Michigan. As her parents aged, Susan made trips back to the Denver area to support her brother Brian in his tireless caregiving, reflecting the deep loyalty she felt toward her family. After Mike’s retirement, the two enjoyed traveling to visit family and find new adventures. They cruised the Upper Rhine river in Europe, saw the unique architecture and history of Budapest, and walked the streets of Rome on several trips with in-laws Tim and Tina James. They admired the scenery and unique views on an Alaskan cruise. They traveled under the Torii gates in Japan to see Nick and Aya and found the food interesting and the sights even better. On one of their trips in late 2017, during a trip to Hawaii with Katherine and her husband, Matt, Nicholas and his future wife, Aya, and Matt’s children, Meagan and Isaac, Susan began to show subtle signs of confusion. She was eventually diagnosed after significant decline during the pandemic. In spite of this, she and Mike continued to explore the world, traveling to Europe and Alaska and Susan found great joy. Even as her memory faded, Susan’s capacity for love remained. She found great joy in watching her grandson Britton grow—laughing with him, holding him, and delighting in his discoveries. In the fall of 2023, her care needs required a move to Waltonwood Memory Care. The family was blessed to find Jenny Hedo in the months preceding the move. Jenny was Sue’s caregiver to the end, providing for both her and her family’s needs, truly becoming one of the family in the process. After several years of steady decline, Susan passed away on February 5, 2026. Though her absence leaves a profound ache, her family takes comfort in knowing she is now at peace. Her legacy lives on in the countless students she nurtured, the friends she cherished, and most of all, in the family she loved so completely. Memorial Visitation will take place at the O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI, 48375 on Sunday, February 15, 2026 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Memorial Visitation will continue on Monday, February 16, 2026 at St. James Catholic Church, 46325 W 10 Mile Rd, Novi, MI 48374, from 10:00 am until the Funeral Mass begins at 10:30 am. Susan will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to P.E.O. and to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Susan Jo Colaccino

October 16, 1948 - February 6, 2026