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ST. PAUL -- Our beloved and devoted wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Susan Lee Ann (Collett) Duchene, passed away peacefully Aug. 9, 2026, with her family by her side after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's.
Susan was born June 10, 1960 in St. Paul, Minn., the eldest daughter of Gerald and Shirley Collett. She attended St. Bernard's grade and high school, where her love for the Catholic faith was planted, grown and fostered. She later attended Saint Catherine's University and attained degrees in both Library Science and Theology.
Susan worked for many years as a legal librarian in downtown Minneapolis, and also as the lead librarian at Saint Paul College, where she optimized the library, bringing international attention for her work.
A true entrepreneur at heart, Susan had many other careers and businesses in her lifetime, including senior housing activities director, county librarian, baker, photographer and author. Susan sold her photography and published a book capturing the disappearing barns and homesteads of rural Minnesota and Wisconsin. She also owned Blue Owl Boutique, and co-owned 5 Crazy Ladies, where she sold curated antiques and reclaimed hand-painted furniture.
With a love for exploration and nature, Susan took many dirt-road adventures. She even enjoyed "kidnapping" loved ones to share her adventures on those backroads, traveling "as the crow flies" to see Americana up close.
She loved God, music, family history, John Denver, creating homemade cards, politics, Christmas, a good thunderstorm, collecting antiques, including her favorites; church cookbooks and tablecloths. Susan was an accomplished musician both with her Martin guitar and the piano. She was a church cantor and sang in several church choirs throughout the years.
July Fourth was a high holiday for her, celebrating with parades, picnics, and fireworks with her large, loud and loving extended family. She found great joy in her family, who lovingly referred to her as “Auntie Yoyo”. She was always up for shopping, lunch, coffee and pastries, Ordway concerts, the Parade of Homes with her sisters and nieces. She was joyful, intelligent, creative, and a lifelong faithful Catholic, who brought happiness, love and fun to all who knew and loved her.
Above all else, Susan’s greatest love was her family. She married James in 2001 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minn. They lived a faith-filled life of devotion and made many cherished and happy memories together. As a dedicated and loving wife, Susan recently celebrated her 25th Anniversary with her husband, marking a milestone of sharing with each other life’s adventures, joys, and sorrows. She was so proud of her family, and loved and cherished them beyond measure. One of Susan's most life changing events was becoming a grandmother to Lucia and Maria. Whether it was a favorite meal, a warm embrace or phone call, she cared for and supported her children always.
She is survived by her husband James; sons Matthew (fiancé Olivia) and Zachary Collett; daughter Marissa (Sheamus) Sullivan; and beloved twin granddaughters, Lucia and Maria. In addition, her parents, Gerald and Shirley Collett; siblings, Patricia (Joseph) Funk, Robert (Susan) Collett, Christina Collett, and Elizabeth (Thomas) Riley; mother in law Geraldine Ann Poirier Duchene Meisner and many special nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Susan was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, nephew Gabriel, and father-in-law Robert J. Duchene, and step father-in-law Robert Miessner.
We are devastated by the loss of Susan and the beautiful presence she brought to our lives. Yet we find comfort in the faith she held so dearly, trusting that she has been made whole and that a joyful reunion awaits us in heaven.
A visitation will be held at Honsa Family Funeral Home, 2460 East County Road. E, White Bear Lake, Minn., Friday, Aug. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Church of St. Pius X, 3878 Highland Avenue, White Bear Lake, Minn., Saturday, Aug. 22 at 11 a.m., with a visitation beginning beforehand at 10 a.m. Luncheon to follow the service in the church gathering room.
A funeral procession will take place afterwards with internment at St. John's the Evangelist Church's Cemetery, Little Canada, Minn.