Susan Assunta Forgetta (Ascione) was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Rita and Luigi Ascione on June 15, 1950. She spent her childhood in Brooklyn along with her younger brother, Ralph and sister Valerie. Susan had an outgoing nature and was protective of her younger siblings. She loved hanging out in the 40th Street neighborhood. The roller rink in Prospect Park was a favorite place to show off her short shirt and skates. Many happy days were spent with her lifelong friend, Lorraine, at the Sunset Park swimming pool. She belonged to the Bugle Corp and easily twirled a bugle and the baton as she proudly marched.
In her teen years, Susan was a big fan of Doo-wop music, the hula loop and dancing. She was a huge Elvis admirer. She was a gifted seamstress and made Halloween costumes for her friends. She had a side business to make spending money by styling hair for neighbors.
After high school she worked in Manhattan as a key punch operator for J C Penney. She married Ken Forgetta in June 1975 and lived in Staten Island where their two daughters, Keri and Dana were born. In 1986 they bought a new home in Howell, New Jersey, and hosted most of the extended family birthday and holiday celebrations, this was a source of great joy for Susan. She often had friends over to play cards, crafted, was a master crocheter and a movie buff.
In 2001, Susan hosted a grand surprise 75th birthday party for her mother with her siblings, nieces and nephews. She valued family as a key to life. In 2002, she lost Kenny to sudden cardiac failure and re-established life in Beechwood, NJ, with Dana. She walked Keri down the aisle in 2003. In 2008, she began to experience health decline with limited sight; she moved to Houston to live with Dana, and there she walked Dana down the aisle.
Following the lives of her daughters and four grandsons, Noah (2004), Ethan (2006), Ryan (2009), Raif (2010) was a delight to her as noted in many of her conversations. In 2014, she moved to Rocky Ford to be near Keri/family and became a resident of the Pioneer Health Care Center. She experienced many health care crises, had dialysis three times/week along sight/mobility challenges in these latter years.
Despite these limitations she could crochet any garment by counting the stitches, stayed politically informed, readily struck up conversation (she knew no strangers), chaired the residence council and was readily recognizable with that Brooklyn accent and her laugh. Susan was determined to live her best; may we all follow her example of strength and resolve in tough circumstances.
Susan suddenly departed life on May 1, 2024; her spirit will live on through those she left behind-Keri/Matt, Ethan and Raif-Dana, Noah and Ryan. She will be remembered for” always being there for a friend”.
Online Condolences and Shared Memories can be made at johnsonromero.com
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Previous Events
Service
16
May
1209 Swink Avenue-Rocky Ford, CO 81067
Rocky Ford, CO 81067
A Service will be held Thursday May 16, 2024 with a Final Committal back in New Jersey at a later date.