SUSI Celia M. (Jiustino) Longtime resident of Roslindale, formerly of Dorchester, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife of the late Anthony Susi. Devoted mother of Anthony L. Susi and his wife Karen of Canton, John Susi of Roslindale, Donna Susi of Canton, Larry Susi and his wife Carol of Braintree, and Richard Susi of Canton. Loving Nana of Anthony Jr., Joseph, James, Danielle, and Nicholas and great Nana to Teddy. Dear sister of Anna Danna, Lillian DiMascio, and the late Jean Federico and Lora Lazzaro. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Celia graduated from Dorchester High School for Girls in 1950, where she played on the basketball team for Dot High and St. Ambrose Parish. She had a zest for life and lived her life to its fullest. After raising her 5 children, she returned to the workforce in 1975 at age 43 and started a career as a Librarian at Catholic Memorial High School. She later worked in Guidance and Administration. While at CM she touched the lives of countless students with her kindness, compassion and generosity until her retirement at age 79. A tireless worker, she also worked part time at Bloomingdales, becoming a floor manager in her 60s.
She loved to travel and she loved to pray. She travelled to Europe over a dozen times, visiting 26 countries.
Her favorite trips were those in which she would combine travel and prayer. She made numerous pilgrimages to Marian Apparition sites all over the world to pray to the Blessed Mother, including Our Lady of Knock Shrine in Ireland, Our Lady of Lourdes in France, Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal and 5 visits to Medugorje in Bosnia- Herzegovina, where she climbed Apparition Hill at age 85.
Despite all her travels, she loved being a Bostonian. She was a city girl and loved the fast pace of city life. Whether it was taking the Orange Line to shop at Filenes Basement, going to Mass at Arch Street, having dinner in the North End or walking many miles around Jamaica Pond, the Sugar Bowl at Castle Island and Centre Street in West Roxbury, she loved the energy of city life and never wanted to move out. She was a member of La Donne due Mille (the Women of 2000) Social Club in the North End and the Irish Social Club in West Roxbury where she danced on Sunday evenings while in her 90s.
Visiting hours will be held at the P.E. Murray - F.J. Higgins, George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home 2000 Centre St. West Roxbury on Friday, August 16th from 4-8pm. Funeral from the funeral home on Saturday, August 17th at 10am, followed by a Funeral Mass at Holy Name Church, West Roxbury at 11am. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment St. Michael Cemetery, Roslindale.