Susan Lee Czako

After a courageous 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, our beloved Mother passed away on November 7, 2023, at home surrounded by her children. Susan Lee Czako was born February 8, 1957, in New Canaan, Connecticut. She graduated from New Canaan High School in 1975 and celebrated her 21st birthday during the great blizzard of '78.  She moved to Monroe in 1985 where she drove a school bus for 18 years before becoming an EMT and Dispatcher for Hunter’s Ambulance. Her most loved role was Mom and later, Gammie. 

She looked forward to planting pansies in the spring with her grandchildren, the annual Fall foliage adventure on Columbus Day, the girls shopping trip to Maine before Thanksgiving, cookie swap during Christmas and the annual family trip to Vermont every summer. She had an incredible green thumb and looked forward to planting her garden every year.

She got upgraded to Gammie at a young age in 2005 and for the last time in 2022. Her first grandson’s pending arrival gave her extra fight for her terrible disease. She wore her, "Best Gammie Ever" shirt proudly. 

Her coleslaw was the best and requested at most holidays, along with her homemade cranberry sauce that tasted so much better than that canned stuff. She made delicious biscotti, Italian potato salad and stuffed cabbage. Our favorite by far was her meatballs and homemade sauce. It always tasted better when Mom made it.

She loved coffee ("Life begins after coffee"), Alaska the Last Frontier, NCIS, Words with Friends, photography, sewing and good live music, especially the blues.

She is predeceased by her parents, Helen and William Czako and sister Barbara Cartwright. (Harry) She is survived by her sister, Deb Doyon (Guy) of Winterville, NC, Louise Holtz of Bridgeport, Daughter Jennifer Maksymiw (Michael) of Plainville, Jackie DiMeglio (Alex Cohen) of Monroe, son Vincent DiMeglio (Grace Meyer) of Beacon Falls. Grandchildren,11 Sofia and Julia Maksymiw, Lena Ruth and Samuel Cohen. She leaves a host of nieces, nephews, friends and her cat, Cleo. We would like to thank Dr. Kortmansky and the host of nurses we met during our chemo "picnics" at Smilow North Haven. Thank you to our sweet Hospice nurse, Audrey and Prospect Memorial for their kindness during this difficult time. At Susan's request there will be no services, but a celebration of life will take place in the Spring. Please go to the Doctor, be kind to everyone you meet and tell the ones you love how much you love them every day. Love you more, Mom.

Prospect Memorial Funeral Home / The Palmerie Family Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Czako family. Please share your condolences, a fond memory, or a photo on Susan's Tribute Wall on this website. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susan Lee Czako, please visit our floral store.