Susan Mattano

9/29/1959 - 9/5/2025

Mystic - Susan Szabo Mattano, of Mystic, known affectionately as Sue, was a beacon of light and hope to all. Born Sept. 29, 1959, in Detroit, Mich., and raised in nearby Southfield, she embarked on a life journey that would touch the hearts of countless individuals. On Sept. 5, 2025, Sue passed into eternal life after a valiant battle with cancer. Her departure from this world was one of grace and peace, surrounded by the love of her family.

Sue attended Roeper City and Country School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., from K-12, graduating in 1977. She then attended her parents' alma mater, Kalamazoo College, where she met her future husband, Len (Leonard) Mattano, and made numerous lifelong friends. Majoring in biology and chemistry, she also studied Spanish and spent a semester abroad in Madrid. She continued her academic journey at the University of Michigan (Go Blue), earning her PhD in pharmacology in 1987 and subsequently achieving board certification in toxicology. Ann Arbor was the couple's home for ten years, where they married and obtained their degrees before returning to Kalamazoo in 1991 for nearly two decades. Her educational achievements laid the foundation for an illustrious career in the pharmaceutical industry that spanned thirty-four years, initially at The Upjohn Company and ultimately at Pfizer, Inc, near their current home in Mystic, CT. Sue's expertise in nonclinical regulatory strategy and compliance supported the registration and approval of innumerable drugs globally during the course of her career.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Sue's life was a living testament to the Roman Catholic faith to which she was deeply devoted. Her faith extended to serving on her parish and diocesan Worship Commissions. She was the beloved wife of husband Len for forty years, a nurturing mother to daughters Marie Mattano and Clara Mattano, and a cherished mother-in-law to Marie's husband Tom James. She was predeceased by her parents Ruth Parrott Szabo and Alex Szabo, and brother James Szabo, all of Michigan. Sue is embraced in love by many members of her extended family as well as her sisters-in-law and their families.

Sue's interests and hobbies were as diverse and vibrant as her personality. She was an incredible chef and enjoyed inviting friends for dinner. Birding and gardening were other lifelong interests. She was also skilled in calligraphy. Sue's love for the classic film "Gone with the Wind," her eclectic collection of earrings, her passion for lobster dinners, and her fond memories of dancing to disco music (particularly Donna Summer) all spoke of a life lived with zest and joy.

One of the most treasured aspects of Sue's life was the time she spent with her family at their seaside cabin in Maine. For her it was truly a second home "the way life should be," complete with abundant friends as dear to her as those in Mystic and Kalamazoo.

Sue's life was a journey of faith, hope, and love, a journey that does not end with her passing but continues through the many lives she impacted. As we remember her, let us be inspired to live with the same courage, purpose, and love that she exemplified every day of her life.

The family will receive guests from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, at Mystic Funeral Home (51 Williams Avenue, Route One). A rosary service will be held Friday, Sept. 12, beginning at 11 a.m. at the same location, followed by procession to Stonington Cemetery for interment. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Enders Island, Mystic. Special gratitude to the exemplary caregivers of Smilow Cancer Center at Westerly and YNHH Westerly Hospital. Donations may be made to Enders Island / St. Edmund's Retreat, Mystic CT.