Susan Irene (Fairchild) Mullane, 76, Lenexa, KS entered her eternal home Friday, October 24th, 2025, at 3pm, the Lord’s Hour of Mercy.
Susan was born March 17th, 1949, in Kansas City, MO, the daughter of Harold “Cliff” and Irene E. (Kalisch) Fairchild. She was the middle child and often spoke of hand me down dresses from her sister Sharon and being put in charge of her rambunctious younger brother Steve. Childhood memories also included visiting her Kalisch family in New Jersey each summer: the long drive, her grandma “Jersey’s” house and the time spent with aunts, uncles and cousins. She attended Christ the King grade school where she received her sacraments and graduated high school from St. Teresa’s Academy in 1967. Susan met the love of her life as a teenager when her sister’s future husband brought over his buddy, Mike, to her parent’s house. She attended junior college, spent some time at nurses training and learned how to play bridge while Mike was serving his country in Vietnam. They wrote many letters to one another and upon his return she took one look at him and knew he was “the one.” He surprised her with an engagement ring tied to a corsage with ribbon; they married on February 27th, 1971. In December of that year, they welcomed their son Michael John Mullane Jr., followed by their daughter, Meghan Marie, in 1975. Susan held many roles in those early years; Avon lady, stay-at-home mom, catechism teacher and receptionist for a general surgeon. Mike’s job with Southwestern Bell took them from Kansas City to Plano, TX and eventually Wichita, KS. There she worked as a personnel manager for Dorth Combs Insurance (later Caroon and Black) until she retired in 1993. Following her retirement, Mike taught Susan and Meghan how to play golf in the heat of the summer on the longest course when no one else was playing. She joined multiple ladies’ groups, played in many tournaments, and even though she amazingly shot 3 holes in ones during her golfing years, her greatest gift was the lifelong friendships she made.
Susan was a wonderful and devoted mother who loved to cook, play games and attend all Mike and Meghan’s sporting events, often complaining of bleacher butt following a string of baseball games and softball tournaments. Tragedy struck in May of 1991 with the suicide of her beloved son, Mike Jr. Susan made it through those difficult years with the strength of her marriage, her daughter, her faith and the support of her amazing friends and family. She and Mike spent many hours with cherished friends enjoying bowling, hanging out and sharing meals.
Mike’s early retirement blessed them with the freedom to move to Sun City West, Arizona in the summer of 2004. Susan loved hosting family and friends in their home on the golf course. She thrived in the retirement lifestyle of golf, friendship, playing bridge and mahjong. She suffered a stroke at age 57 but Mike supported her through every moment of recovery and the continued years of “not seeing on the left”. The blessing from God during that time was the birth of her “favorite grandson” Braden. Mike’s lung cancer diagnosis moved them back to Kansas City where they celebrated 43 years of marriage before Mike’s passing in 2014. She missed him dearly but found joy in playing bridge at the senior center with new friends, attending Mass at Sacred Heart, and spending time with Meghan, David and Braden, family and friends. Susan continued many family traditions including chocolate pies at Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve lunch on the Plaza followed by Christmas Eve Mass and prime rib for dinner, crab legs on New Years Day and corned beef and cabbage for the Polish girl on her Irish birthday.
Susan’s favorite title in life was Grandma. She adored her grandson Braden and attended every event she was able to that he was involved in. She loved to spend time with him, surprise him with gifts, listen to him play piano, watch him in plays and musicals but one of her greatest joys was hearing him sing for the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City.
Life in her later years would continue to be challenging, she accepted all the health setbacks and suffering that came with cancer and Parkinson’s diagnosis. “It’s always something” friends and family often heard her say. She continued pursuing her faith by attending Mass while she was still able and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist at home up until the Sunday before her death.
May Susan be embraced by our Lord and reunite with her beloved husband and son, Michael John Mullane and Michael John Mullane Jr.; parents; Godparents, Stephanie T (Kalisch) Amendola and Ted Kalisch; brother-in-law, Frank P Canino Jr.; cousin, Scott Raymond Henry and beloved family and friends gone before her. She is survived by her daughter, Meghan Marie (David) Magistro; grandson, Braden Anthony Magistro; sister, Sharon L. Canino; brother, Steve (Cathy) Fairchild; sister in law, Rhett Mills; nieces, Maureen (Eric) McKinnon and Kelly (Max) Coldren; great nieces and nephews, Colin and Jack McKinnon, Lincoln and Chloe Coldren; and many additional beloved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, friends and extended family.
The Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, October 30th, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 5501 Monticello Rd, Shawnee, KS officiated by Fr. Jonathan Kalisch. Rosary and visitation will precede Mass, with the rosary being prayed at 9:30 and visitation following. Interment will follow Mass at the National Cemetery, Leavenworth, KS with Fr. John Riley. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: Allegro Choirs of Kansas City, 110 W Third St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012.