Susan Dullea Szetela

Chicopee- Susan Dullea Szetela passed away peacefully on December 13, 2021.  Born in Springfield in 1934, Susan was the youngest daughter of the late William and Gertrude (White) Footit.  She was married for 60 years to Chester J. Szetela.  She was the eighth child and was predeceased by her brothers Jack, Wally, Richard, and Douglas, sisters Mary Jean, Nancy Dromey and Billie Britton.  Susan was also predeceased by her son, John.  Susan was a graduate of Cathedral High School, Our Lady of the Elms College, and Westfield State University.  Susan taught school in the City of Chicopee and in Germany as a teacher for children of military parents.  She worked as a home maker raising her seven children.  As a fierce advocate of the unborn,  Susan ran the Pioneer Valley Massachusetts Citizens for Life office in Ludlow for over 20 years.  Her dedication to the unborn was brought about by a visit to a concentration camp in Poland.  Her commitment never wavered, whether she was traveling to the annual Washington D.C. March for Life, peacefully picketing, attending meetings, or organizing bake sales.  Susan was a feminist before the term came into use, encouraging her daughters to excel academically and athletically.  Susan was an avid reader, knitter, gardener, and bird watcher.  Susan loved her Catholic faith and was a longtime parishioner of St. Patrick's Church, in Chicopee and Christ the King Church in Ludlow.  She was consoled and comforted by her faith through many of life's difficulties, including the loss of her son.  Of great importance to her was contributing to many Catholic charities.  She also traveled the world, visiting many countries.  Her other great love was knitting.  Her hands were always busy.  She knitted hundreds of hats, which were sent to a rural village in Guatemala.  For many years she supported her daughter's Christmas tree farm and served a pivotal role behind the scenes.  She especially loved handing out candy to the many children who frequented the store.  Her love of children and her family brought her joy and comfort.  She was always helping and supporting her daughters as mothers to young children, from matching socks to cooking Sunday dinners.  Susan leaves her six daughters, Mary and Scott McNair, Susan Lopes and Candido Lopes, Nancy and Walter Currier, Sarah and Jim Bolton, Carolyn and Richard Calderigi, and Catherine and William Reyes.  Susan also leaves her 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.  Family and friends are invited to gather at 10a.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Christ the King Church, 41 Warsaw Ave., Ludlow, for Susan's Funeral Mass, with burial to follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Chicopee.  Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021, from 4 to 7p.m. at the Corridan Funeral Home, 333 Springfield St., Chicopee.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Susan's memory may be made directly to Pro-Life of Pioneer Valley, P.O. Box 60474, Longmeadow, MA 01116.  To leave your condolences or to share a memory with the family, please visit www.CorridanFuneral.com