Susan Irene Santucci

Susan Irene Santucci passed away on December 29, 2023 in Pomona, California. She was born in California in July of 1949 to her parents, Raymond and Arline Howe. Susan had two younger siblings, John G. Howe and Gail L. Howe. Susan was smart, happy and outgoing. As a little girl the family moved a number of times, spending the majority of the time growing up in the South Bay/LA area. Susan was always a good student. She never had trouble meeting or making friends and she always had a moment to listen. As a teen she was popular and in tune with the place and time she grew up in. She was a Beach Bunny and she was a dancer. Susan knew and was friends with a number of popular musicians and celebrities in the LA area. . Susan graduated from Aviation High School in Redondo Beach, CA in 1967. After high school, Susan went on to work at a VW distributorship in Culver City and lived in her own apartment in Hermosa Beach, CA. Then later went on to work in the medical and dental fields as well as working with ESL students at Mt. San Antonio College.

Susan met her first husband, Johnnie Johnson, at The Flying Jib Nightclub in Redondo Beach in June of 1967. In December of 1967 they got married in Santa Monica. After four years, they moved to North Hollywood and had their twin girls, Angie and Julie, in February of 1971. Soon after the birth of their daughters, they moved back to the South Bay. After 9 years, Susan and John went their separate ways. In 1977, Susan met her 2nd husband, Cecil Lyons, at Calvary Baptist Church in Hawthorne, CA. In 1982, their son, David, was born. Cecil had a son from a previous marriage, Cecil Paul Lyons, who was welcomed into the family with open arms. After 30 plus years, Susan and Cecil went their separate ways. She later married Donald Santucci in 2007. Susan and Don had the wonderful opportunity to travel Europe and they enjoyed their golden years together until Don's passing in June of 2018.

Susan was a loving and dedicated mother and wife. She loved her blended family. She enjoyed doing activities such as aerobics with her daughters to Jane Fonda tapes, going to soccer games to watch her son play and taking long walks in the neighborhood with her husband Cecil. She also loved gardening, shopping, Sunday BBQs with the family and watching movies.

Susan, Cecil and their children began attending First Baptist Church of Walnut Valley in 1985. Susan became very involved in the church and enjoyed singing in the choir. Susan was very giving. She was involved in Dovetails meals on wheels at Church. She kept ziplock bags packed with provisions in her car to pass out to the homeless. Susan always had a smile on her face and made time for anyone. She loved the simple traditions of going on Summer trips to San Diego and Winter trips to Big Bear. Holidays were very special to Susan because she loved having the family together. Susan’s family meant everything to her. Her grandchildren were very special to her. She took time off work for a couple of years to help take care of her first grandchild, Julian, after he was born. Later, she would spend her days off taking care of her second grandchild and only granddaughter, Jenna, after she was born. Then later did the same for her other grandsons. Mom was always there and made every day special.. She was an amazing woman who will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Susan was preceded in passing by her husband, Donald Santucci, sister, Gail Howe, and her parents Raymond and Arline Howe. Susan is survived by her children, Angie, Julie and David. Also by her grandchildren Julian, Connor, Jenna, Josh, Jack, Elijah and Judah as well as her son-in-law Rob and daughter-in-law Melissa. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Walnut Valley at 10:00am. A short graveside ceremony will follow at Riverside National Cemetery at 2:15PM.