Sue Doan

With a beautiful smile and a generous heart, Susan Callander Doan lived a life rich in family and friends. Born in Toledo, Ohio, she was the firstborn of Dr. Glen and Dorothy Callander’s four children. The family moved often while her father served in the military before settling in Kalamazoo. Sue’s three brothers, Doug, Bruce and Steve kept the household humming. Sue made lasting friendships at University High School where she was elected class president in her sophomore year. Throughout the years she was the organizer of class reunions and special events. She graduated from U. High in 1963.

David Doan was a sophomore at Ohio Wesleyan University when Sue arrived on campus with the freshman class. The beautiful girl from Kalamazoo caught his attention and quickly won his heart. They were married at the First Presbyterian Church on June 17th, 1967. They continued their studies at Case Western Reserve, Sue earning a master’s in Library Science and Dave, his M.D. By the time Dave finished his time in the military and his residency at Mayo Clinic, and they had lived in several different houses, Sue and Dave were the happy parents of Brad, Brian and Melissa.

Fortunately for Kalamazoo, the Doan’s chose to live in Sue’s hometown and enrich our city in countless ways. Brad and Missy talk about what a wonderful mother Sue was, always encouraging them and allowing them to forge their own paths. She was there for all their special events, Brad’s tennis matches, Brian’s swim meets and theater productions and Missy’s volleyball tournaments across the country. During the summer they all relaxed and read at their home in Grand Haven. A special memory for Missy was their epic mother- daughter trip to England, exploring Canterbury and attending shows. She laughs telling how they crossed the pond to Paris and somehow got lost trying to find the Eiffel Tower.

Social and generous by nature, Sue was very involved in her community. She worked for many years at the Portage Public Library and was particularly involved with the Reading Together Program in Kalamazoo. It’s something of an understatement to say she was well-read. She was a leading member of several book clubs. One she started with a few women in her living room now meets monthly and has a mailing list of 91 members. She served as President of Junior League, joined an investment club and honed her Bridge game with friends.

She absolutely adored her six grandchildren and treasured the times Missy’s girls came to Michigan to stay with Nanny and Grampy. Sue and Dave drove to Grand Rapids frequently to follow the Doan boys’ endeavors. Sue’s life was not without heartache and heavy burdens. In 2017 her son, Brian, a professor of cinema at Oberlin College, died unexpectedly. In recent years Dave has struggled with advancing Alzheimer’s. Sue was a totally devoted wife, determined to be his caretaker and live beside him as long as possible. In the last few weeks of her life, she brought Dave to one of her book clubs and they attended one of the Gilmore Piano Festival events together.

Those acts of love define Susan Callander Doan. She was a true friend, celebrating the joys of others without envy and showing her love in simple ways- remembering birthdays, sending messages of encouragement, delivering her homemade scones. She will be remembered by countless friends and by the family she loved so deeply.

Sue Doan, age 80, died unexpectedly on May 7, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Dr. Brian Doan. Surviving are her husband, Dr. David Doan; children, Brad (Katie) Doan, Melissa (Jonathan) Heavey; grandchildren: Ryan, Charlie, Katelyn, Shannon, McKenna, and Riley; siblings: Doug (Ellie) Callander, Bruce (Dede) Callander, and Steve Callander; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Service on Saturday, May 16, at 11 AM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story Center, where food, drinks, and stories can be shared. Celebrate Sue's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. In lieu of flowers, please direct your love to Pretty Lake Vacation Camp, Hospitality House or Kalamazoo Literacy Council.