Susan M. DiGeronimo

Susan Marie Eckstein DiGeronimo was born in April of 1964, the first and only daughter of Ann and Al Eckstein, of Fitchburg. Susan was joined first by her brother Eric, then her twin brothers Matthew and Kurt.
Theirs was a raucous childhood, with Susan often the rebel of the family. In her father, Susan found a true kinship and comfort. Their shared intellect and stubbornness was a source of mirth and exasperation that extended into adulthood. Even when life got hardest for Susan, the memories and love she and her father shared was her foundation. In her mother, Susan found a true and deep friendship, marked by compassion, love, and amusement. Susan and Ann went on many adventures in Susan's adulthood, sometimes seeing plays in Boston, sometimes staying in bed and breakfasts by the beach, but always filled with laughter and great conversation long into the night.
Susan met her only husband in high school, a fellow nonconformist. Anthony and Susan fell in love due to a shared love of music, and a shared dream of a happy, unconventional life. They moved to Boston and enjoyed a lifestyle of friends and concerts, Susan working at a bank and eventually, eating the fresh mangoes that her only daughter craved in the womb. Motherhood came to Susan when she was 24. Soon after Laura was born, the family moved to Fitchburg.
In Fitchburg, in motherhood, Susan flourished. Starting in the mailroom at the Sentinel and moving to the newsroom, Susan's love for and gift of the written word was evident in every article she wrote or edited. Susan covered arts and culture and loved nothing more than moving her way up front for the latest band playing the Civic Center to make sure her readers knew how it really was. Decembers meant "The Nutcracker" at the Wang Theater every year, Susan always loved to celebrate the holidays in a big way and Christmas most of all. Backyard barbeques, the friendship of neighbors, the convenience of family across the street allowed Susan to create for her young daughter a childhood that felt idyllic.
Susan was both the PTO Mom and the Gen Xer cracking the funniest jokes. This duality was present in all aspects of her: she was the woman who would make sure every detail of your wedding was perfect down to the napkins, but she was unpretentious in her personal life. She took care of her friends but never wanted them to feel burdened by her. She sought our mentorship roles but went out of her way not to be condescending. To be loved by Susan meant that your birthday would always be important, your car would have the snow brushed off if you needed it, and your dishes would be done if you'd just hang out in the kitchen with her while she did it. Susan volunteered with various history and nature related groups locally, always amused by the blends of personalities coming together for a mission. Susan was an incredibly spiritual woman who checked her friends' horoscopes for them and enjoyed both drum circles and Unitarian hymns. Susan loved the bravery of Ernest Shackleton, the wildness of the island of Matinicus, the uninhibitedness of the dance floor of a rave. Susan loved her catering clients and her co-workers at Sean Patrick's, who truly did become family to her. Susan loved making her grandmother's kuchen and watching trashy television to decompress. She loved long, meandering road trips, ending with spending her time at the beach or in the forest.
She leaves behind her mom, her brothers, her nephews, Danny, Jacob, John, and her former husband. She leaves behind the friends she loved so, so deeply in whose hearts her memory should be a balm. She leaves behind her son-in-law, so alike in temperament and humor. She leaves behind a daughter who she cherished beyond words and for whom the feeling was mutual. Their relationship was strong, love and laughter constantly persisting despite anything life tried to put in their way.
In lieu of flowers, do something kind for someone you love. Spend your time being useful in your community. Engage with the wonder of being alive and spend some time in nature.
A celebration of life will be held in the middle of November local to Fitchburg, pending venue.
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