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Susan Callahan Obituary
November 5, 1946 - July 20, 2025
Susan Smart Callahan, known as Susie, of Richmond, Va., passed away on July 20, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Vincent Callahan.
Susie was born in Seattle, Wash., to William Mitchell Smart and Geraldine Sumner Smart, the second of five children. She was educated at Virginia Intermont College and at Michigan State University. Susie was a homemaker extraordinaire, and make homes she did, in Rochester, N.Y., Grosse Pointe, Mich., Atlanta, Ga., Cohasset, Mass., in Coral Gables, Fla., and most significantly in Richmond. She was quietly as profoundly capable as any craft or tradesman: Susie could wire and plumb, fix a car, do carpentry, decorate a room, garden, and sew as well as a couturier. Her skills were unmatched and her standards were aspiringly high, and consequently people rose to them. And atypically, Susie's high expectations were always graciously communicated. The Callahans were a wry and witty family, and Susie was the anchor, positive and game. Her optimism and love of fun were manifest in an adoration of children far and wide, no matter their age, gender, or interests. This authentic love and appreciation of children connected her profoundly to her son, and her nieces and nephews, and extended to neighbors and friends. It was a remarkable gift to all.
Susie is survived by her son, Tom Callahan; her siblings, Kathy Smart, Bill Smart (Priscilla), Bob Smart (Joia), and Maggie Booz (Rustam). Beyond Tom; and importantly to her, she is survived by seven nieces and nephews (Kai, Jordan, Julia, Rob, William, Otis, and Ruby); and currently to two greats with more on the way (Lani and Thatcher).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 6006 Three Chopt Road, Richmond, Va., with interment to follow at Westhampton Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Susie's honor to the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (https://ssvpusa.org/donate/).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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