Suzanne Rose (Varano) Mellow-Irwin

Dr. Suzanne Mellow Irwin of Sparta, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 15, 2025, at the age of 87, enveloped in the warmth and gentle care of loved ones.

Born on Jan. 12, 1938, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Olive Hilda (Reardon) and Nicholas Raphael Varano, Suzanne led an extraordinary, beautiful life.

She grew up in Buckroe Beach, Virginia, and moved to Pennsylvania at age 13. After graduating from high school in 1955, she joined the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at the age of 17, traveling to Maryland for her training. She attended Trinity College in Washington, D.C., to pursue a vocation in education and school administration. Upon her graduation in 1964, Suzanne was sent to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to become the first Principal of St. Thomas More School. In 1969, she became Principal of Holy Rosary School in Staten Island, New York. She earned her master’s degree in 1969 and her doctorate in 1972 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

It was during this time that Suzanne’s life took an unexpected turn: She met Dr. Joseph Anthony Mellow, whom she married at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Sparta, North Carolina, in 1972. Together, they built a home in the High Meadows community of Roaring Gap, where they lived until Joe passed away in 2001. Guided by her mantra, “children come first,” Suzanne served as superintendent of the Alleghany County School System and as an adjunct professor at Appalachian State University during this time.

In 2002, she married Bobby Irwin and delighted in a new life on the farm. She especially enjoyed raising a menagerie of animals, including burros, pygmy goats, and a rescue horse named Bella. Suzanne won a Women in Agriculture grant to raise pigs on the farm, which she turned into a learning opportunity for Alleghany High School students.

A prolific writer, musician and painter, Suzanne authored a children’s book series, “Stratford Oaks Tales,” about life on the farm; thoroughly enjoyed being part of the Alleghany Writers group, with whom she collaborated on several books; and, at the age of 87, published her favorite project, a historical fiction novella, “The Good Sam Caper.”

Suzanne is also remembered fondly by many of her former Alleghany County students (including a number of her caregivers) for her Peter Rabbit story readings, a practice she cherished throughout her life.

A devout Catholic and member of St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church, Suzanne served as music director and organist for 50 years. She was a fixture at mass and other special services, once driving in snow to fulfill her 2 a.m. shift during an overnight vigil at the church.

Suzanne also served in a number of volunteer roles in Alleghany County, including 35 years on the Cherry Lane Volunteer Fire Department Board, which culminated in the proclamation of “Dr. Suzanne Mellow Irwin Day” in the county when she resigned in 2013. She supported the Alleghany Historical Museum and served on the Alleghany County Library Board and the Alleghany County Education Foundation Board, among others.

Suzanne’s service also extended beyond Alleghany County to leadership roles in a number of organizations. She served on the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority Board of Directors, on the Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees for 14 years, as Chairwoman of the Alleghany County Republican Party, and as a member of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary.

Suzanne is lovingly survived by her husband Wade (Bobby) Irwin, stepchildren Jennifer Tuffo [Kevin], Mary Lou Tramontano, Joanne Jacovec [Al], and Joseph Mellow Jr. [Donna]; stepdaughter-in-law Tammy Irwin; grandchildren Bella, Adelai, and Keagan Tuffo; Peirce, Paxton, and Palmer Irwin; John Tramontano [Shelly], Craig Tramontano [Ann], Tracy Moten [Matt], Suzanne Stanard [Marc], Laura Browning [Carter], and Carson Mellow; niece Carole Krauter [Mark]; nephew Lee Janiczek [Sara]; several great-grandchildren, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and a beloved community of friends who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by husband Joseph Mellow; stepson Bryan Irwin; stepson-in-law John Tramontano Sr.; granddaughter Brittany Hardy; parents Olive and Nicholas Varano; mother- and father-in-law Madge and Wade Irwin Sr.; sister Carole Anne Janiczek; and brother-in-law LeRoy Janiczek.

Visitation will take place on Friday, Sept. 19, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church in Sparta, followed by a funeral service at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alleghany County Historical-Genealogical Society and the Alleghany Educational Foundation.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Suzanne’s dear friend and caregiver Janet Pokorney, as well as her wonderful team of Hospice nurses, for their loving care and support.

Thomas Family Funeral Service is honored to be serving the Irwin family.  If you wish, online tributes may be extended to the family at www.thomasfamilyfs.com.

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