Susan Elizabeth (Richo) Melia, 69, of Wallingford, left us on Wednesday, July 26th at her home with her family by her side after a long and courageous journey with Metastatic Breast Cancer. Susan lived her life to the fullest, going to concerts and traveling with her husband, Jack Melia; entertaining family and friends with her delicious home-cooked meals, while advocating for herself and others who were living with MBC. Susan met Jack at Becker Junior College in 1972 after graduating from Hamden High School in 1971. She was 18 and he was 19 and it was truly love at first sight. They married in 1973, have been at each other’s side and best friends ever since.  Susan chose insurance as a career at Kemper Insurance in 1972, starting in the file room and working her way up to Senior Underwriter. When Kemper left the state, she continued at General Accident Insurance, The Travelers and HRH of Connecticut until retirement after 29 years, having made a lifetime of friends.  She was a devoted wife, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt and friend.  Susan learned to love sports with the attitude “if you can’t beat them join them” as Jack was a multi-sport athlete and team follower.  Susan, a die-hard Yankee fan, also rooted for the New Orleans Saints and excelled in tennis. She loved to cook, especially Italian and the Creole and Cajun meals she created as a tribute to New Orleans, her adopted city.  Most of all, music was her passion. She “got on the bus” in 1971 seeing the Grateful Dead for the first time and continued attending concerts until they disbanded. Since the band’s 2015 50-year reunion in Chicago, and re-formation as Dead&Co with lead guitarist and a certified member of Susan’s team – John Mayer – Susan and Jack remained loyal fans through its final show July 16. He became her favorite musician and she played his music during PET scans and Gamma Knife procedures to soothe her soul.  From 1991 on Susan, Jack and close friends, the Milleas, visited the city that ruled her heart, New Orleans, whether for Jazz Festival’s rock and rhythm and blues or a Saints game.  Susan’s journey with breast cancer began in 2013 and after surgery was told she had stage 4 cancer that spread outside the breast. She faced this devastating “no cure” diagnosis courageously. Her constant, harrowing treatments included over 15 different therapies and scans, but she chose joy, life and hope.  Susan attributed out living the life expectancy of her disease to the world class team at Smilow Cancer Hospital she assembled. Throughout Susan’s journey, Jack, her rock and love of her life, encouraged her to self- advocate, stay positive and champion for others. Susan fiercely supported two nonprofits that raise funds for research of MBC – The Cancer Couch and The Breast Friends Fund.  Susan, born Feb. 24, 1954, was predeceased by her parents, Vincent Richo and Lillian Scandone Richo Atnes. She is survived by her husband, Jack; brothers Bob Richo, (Patti) and Richard Richo; brothers-in-law, Tom Melia, (Joann); Bob Melia, (Debbie) and James Melia, (MaryJane) and 10 nieces, nephews and their families.  She is also survived by step-nephews, the Atneses and their families. To her family, extended cousin family and great friends who supported Susan in her journey; her MBC friends and those who left too soon we thank you. Susan appreciated the support and advice of her Twitter Breast Cancer Community who left her feeling that she was not “floating alone at sea.” Much of the advice helped her live longer. Heartfelt thanks to her friend and brilliant Oncologist Dr. Jeremy Kortmansky who steered her ship masterfully.  Chemo infusion nurse Robin Esposito was a friend and confidant who kept her grounded and laughing, especially on the dark days. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Nuclear Medicine who always made Susan feel loved. Susan was adamant that her journey was never a “battle” or a “fight.” She despised that language as this beast, Metastatic Breast Cancer, is a killer that cannot be beat. She was not a ‘warrior.’  Her goal was to live a normal life. She handled everything with grace and dignity, having adopted the motto “hope is everything.” She never gave up or gave in. She had too much to live for and wanted to stay so badly.

The visiting hours will be Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home 36 Washington Avenue. A parlor service will follow at 12:00 PM. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.  Donations are welcome in Susan’s honor to The Cancer Couch Foundation, 193 Fairfield Beach Road, Fairfield, CT 06824 or at www.thecancercouch.com (http://www.thecancercouch.com) and Breast Friends Fund at www.BreastFriendsFund.org (http://www.BreastFriendsFund.org)