Susan C Todd

Native Islander, beloved mother and grandmother, taught at Catholic schools

Susan Carroll Caiazza Todd, 69, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Susan was born on May 20, 1948, the daughter of the late Pasquale and Elizabeth Timpone Caiazza. She lived in St. George and Westerleigh on Staten Island, N.Y., before moving to West Brighton in 1977.

Susan married her high school sweetheart, John R. (Rick) Todd, on April 6, 1969. They enjoyed 44 wonderful years together until his death in 2014.

Susan graduated from St. Peter's Elementary School and St. Peter's High School for Girls. She received a BS degree in education from Notre Dame College of Staten Island in 1970 and an MS ED from Richmond College in 1973. Susan taught first and third grade at St. Peter's Elementary School from 1970 to 1978. She enjoyed directing the holiday plays and working with many of the teachers who were at St. Peter's when she was a student there.

Susan taught first grade at Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC) School from 1985 to 2010. She worked tirelessly to help her students learn, even inventing her own spelling program. During her career, she taught more than one thousand children to read and spell. Susan was instrumental in coordinating all activities for the OLGC Grandparents' Day. She was an active member of the Home School Association as both a teacher and a parent.

Susan enjoyed reading, cooking and gardening. She was an expert crafter, specializing in sewing, needlepoint and counted cross-stitch. Her family members were always amazed by the beautiful handcrafted gifts they received from Susan.

Susan was predeceased by her husband, Rick Todd, and her sister, Mary Guerin. She is survived by her loving son, Jonathan, his fiancee, Jessica, and her granddaughter, Rochell; her brother and sister-in-law, Pasquale and Johnean Caiazza; her brother, Christopher Caiazza; her sister, Kathleen Caiazza; and her brother-in-law, James Guerin. She will forever be remembered by her many nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.

Visitation is on Saturday, Feb. 10, and Sunday, Feb. 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Harmon Funeral Home, 571 Forest Ave., Staten Island, NY 10310.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, Feb. 12, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Church, 53 St. Marks Place, Staten Island, N.Y. 10301.

Donations in honor of Susan's life and memory may be made to the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Medical Center, Office of Development, 1 Park Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10016.

Harmon Funeral Home

571 Forest Ave.

Staten Island, N.Y. 10310

(718) 442-5056