Veronica M. Cusick

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Veronica (Rona) Cusick, 78, of West Brighton, a retired bank executive and committed volunteer who was dedicated to her family and loved gardening, died Wednesday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

The lifelong Staten Islander was born Veronica Driscoll in New Brighton and graduated from the former St. Peter's Girls High School.

Mrs. Cusick had lived in West Brighton for 30 years.

She had a 30-year career with Citibank, beginning as a teller and rising through the ranks to the post of manager and then assistant vice president. She retired in 1999.

Mrs. Cusick was a member of Citibank's Presidents Club, where she was the first woman to serve as a vice president and president, and a member of its Quarter-Century Club.

After retiring, she was the volunteer coordinator for the Staten Island Botanical Garden, and when it merged with Snug Harbor Cultural Center, she served as its interim director until 2012. She also was a founding member and past president of the Volunteer Heart Ambulance in Eltingville.

Mrs. Cusick, who had a passion for gardening, belonged to the Staten Island Herb Society.

"She was very personable and very caring," said her daughter, Mary Seton St. George. "She was knowledgeable about so many things -- gardening, politics, current events -- and in a room full of people she could hold a conversation with each of them."

Mrs. Cusick was a parishioner of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, West Brighton, where she was active in the vacation Bible school.

Surviving, along with her daughter, are her son, Bill, and three grandchildren.

The funeral service will be Monday at 10 a.m. in Our Saviour Lutheran Church. The Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, is handling arrangements, including cremation.