Suzanne Garavaglia

Suzie, beloved wife, mother, sister and aunt died peacefully on September 29, 2013 following a valiant seven year battle with ovarian cancer. Born October 18, 1961 in Detroit, she was the daughter of Leonard and Joanna Bartold. In 1979, she was to meet her future husband Tom on a blind date and with their marriage in 1985 she made him the luckiest guy in the world. They had over 28 years of a loving marriage that resulted in three beautiful children, Catherine, Anthony, and Rebecca. In addition to her three children, she also loved her dog, Ginger. When her children were younger, she was a stay-at-home Mom providing all the love and comfort the kids needed as they grew up. She would help out in their classrooms as frequently as possible and was a pillar of love and patience to her family. She was also active in her church, the Catholic Community of St. Jude, and volunteered her time over the years to help in the Elementary Religious Education Program. Once all her kids were in school full time, she worked for the Food Service Department of the DeWitt Public Schools where she was able to interact with students and teachers which she truly enjoyed. The only thing greater than Suzie’s joy of life and will to live was her humbleness and her ability to overcome pain and suffering by keeping a smile on her face. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Suzie was preceded in death by her mother Joanna Bartold. Surviving to cherish her memory are her husband Tom and their three children; her father Leonard Bartold and siblings Leonard (Linda), Laurence (Maria), Lauren (Michael), Timothy (Marianna), Richard (Susan), and Thomas (Michelle) along with many nieces and nephews.

Her funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, at the Catholic Community of St. Jude, 801 N. Bridge Street, in DeWitt with Rev. Robert Irish presiding. Interment will follow at DeWitt Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, and from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington, in DeWitt. The rosary will be prayed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to the Sparrow Cancer Center or Sparrow Hospice Services, 1215 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912, in memory of Suzanne Garavaglia.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the Garavaglia family at www.grdewitt.com.