Obituary of Elizabeth H. Susalis

Elizabeth "Betty" Susalis (nee Sweeney), age 93, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2019. She was the beloved wife of the late Angelo Susalis. She was the loving mother of Thomas, Jean O'Brien-Ehrlich, Dennis O'Brien and his wife Jackie, Billy O'Brien, and Kathy Fodera and her husband Charlie. She was the cherished grandmother of 12. She was the devoted great- grandmother of 18. She was the dear great- great-grandmother of 5. She was the beloved sister of Chris, Mike, Tom, George and the late John, Nora, Pat, and Danny. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Elizabeth Susalis, known as Betty, is the second of nine children, and one of two daughters. She was born Elizabeth Sweeney on St. Patrick's Day in 1926 in Glasgow, Scotland. She and her brother came to New York with their parents. Her mother died when she was 8, at which time she went to Mount Loretto where she lived until she was 18. Betty met her first husband, Thomas O'Brien, at Mount Loretto and they were blessed with five children. The marriage ended in divorce. She then married Angelo Susalis, who died in 1993. Betty and Angelo spent over 20 years together enjoying everything from their house down the shore to their love of crafting and creating beautiful memories. Betty kept an active lifestyle. She stayed competitive too, winning at least 26 medals in the Senior Olympics in bowling, amateur golf, darts, bocce, shuffleboard and basketball. She also bowled for over 40 years. Betty was a talented artist who could make anything beautiful with a stroke of a brush or with a crochet hook. In addition to her fun competitive nature, she was also a devout catholic who was a Eucharistic minister for many years at Holy Family R.C. Church. Betty spent the last two years enjoying her life in the care of the wonderful workers at Eger Nursing Home. "Our mom was a force to be reckoned with. She was spiritual and artistic; fanciful and brave. She did not suffer fools and presented her true self in all she did. Her family and friends will all remember her and the amazing gifts she gave us all – our sense of pride, courage and love." Daughter Kathy Fodera In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Eger Nursing Home in Betty's memory. Funeral from the Matthew Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 2508 Victory Blvd. On Tuesday, 7/23/19, departing at 9:30 AM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Holy Family R.C. Church at 10 AM. Cremation to follow at Rosehill Crematory, Linden, NJ. Family and friends may visit on Monday, 7/22/19, from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 9:00 PM.