Obituary of Susan Lee Masi

Born in Orange Memorial Hospital May 18, 1945, Susan Lee Masi, 79, of West Orange passed away peacefully on March 7, due to complications from surgery. Susan was a beloved daughter, sister, aunt and loyal friend.

Susan lived most of her life in South Orange, NJ and was a graduate of Columbia High School in Maplewood.  She attended Russell Sage College in Troy, NY and ultimately received her BA degree in Elementary Education from William Patterson College in Wayne, NJ.   

 In the 1970s Susan was a 1^st and 2^nd grade teacher in the Montclair school system.  In the 1980s Susan used her organizational, teaching and training skills working as an administrator at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, NJ. In the 1990s, Susan became an office manager and sales representative for State Farm Insurance in Wayne, NJ and later worked for her twin sister Bonni Oswald’s State Farm office in Warwick, NY before retiring in the late 1990s.   In retirement Susan focused her creativity on photography, designing jewelry and archiving family history and her mother’s award-winning artwork. 

Over the years, Susan participated in many volunteer efforts including coordinating art shows and exhibits.  One of her most meaningful undertakings was in 2013 when Susan worked with her twin sister Bonni and many other lifetime friends on the Columbia High School 50^th reunion committee.  Susan was described by the committee members and her classmates as one of the kindest, most humble people they had ever known. Susan could often be found volunteering and cheerfully taking on many of the hardest organizational tasks, never looking for accolades – just getting the job done.

Susan was a gentle, spiritual person and will be remembered for her kind heart and generous spirit, her intelligence, quick wit, thoughtfulness, and love of children and teaching. She was an artist, a skilled pianist, and a great cook. (Making the best plum pudding ever!)

Susan was predeceased by her father, Anthony J Masi, her mother, Jeanette Fragasso Masi, and two sisters, Roberta and Bonni. She is survived by 3 siblings, Sandy Gigliotti and her husband Joseph; Carol Masi; and Thomas Masi and his wife Luby.  Also, 7 nephews and 2 nieces and 17 great nieces and nephews. Forever in our hearts, May God grant her Eternal Rest.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 17, 2025 from 10:00 – 12:30pm at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Ave, Basking Ridge at 1:00pm. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. For further information or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com