Mrs. Suzanne Carey, 92, of Elgin, SC, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026. She was born on July 29, 1933, in Alpena Michigan. She was the wife of the late John J. Carey Jr. and daughter of the late Martha E. Packard and the late Arthur T. Packard.
She met her husband while he was stationed at the Alpena Air Force Station while serving in the United States Air Force. They were married for 69 years. Sue worked as an X-ray technician at the Alpena County Hospital until they moved to Westland, Michigan. Sue dedicated her life to raising their six children while her husband pursued his career as an air traffic controller at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. While living in Westland she and her family were members of St. Richard's Catholic church.
Sue and John retired to Columbia, SC where they spent over 4o years enjoying the warmer weather and wonderful neighbors and friends they met. Sue and John were both very firm in their catholic beliefs and were active members of St. John Neuman Catholic church.
She was a very loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her family was her greatest joy.
She is survived by her children: Jeffrey Carey (Linda), Linda Liebau (Rick), Sandra Carey, James Carey, Sheila Young (Mike), and Joanne Carey; grandchildren: Ashley, Chelsea, Annie, Shana, Matthew, Ryan, Jacob, Christopher, and John Alex; great-grandchildren: Avaline, Ayden, Addison, Ana, Isabella, Hank, Mack, Greyson, Hadley, and Trace.
In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers: Richard (Lynn) Packard and Theodore (Hilda) Packard, and her sister, Jane (Clayton) Douville.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Karesh Long Term Care in Camden, SC for their compassionate care which brought much comfort to Suzanne during her final days.
A private family burial will be held, at a later date, in Michigan.