Sister Susan Gardella

1957 - 2025

Sister Susan Gardella, RSHM died peacefully at St. John's Riverside Hospital, Yonkers, NY, Tuesday, January 14, 2025. She was 67 years of age and had been a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) for 39 years.

Susan Teresa Gardella was born in New York City, NY, on July 31, 1957, the only child of William and Dorothy Bernard Gardella.
She received a BA in Art History with a minor in Secondary Education from Marymount Manhattan College, NYC, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Manhattan University, Bronx, NY.

She entered the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary on September 19, 1982. She made her first vows on June 1, 1985 in Butler Memorial Chapel, Marymount, Tarrytown, NY where she later made her final vows on May 19, 1991.

Sr. Susan's years of ministry were focused on helping families, both children and parents. She worked with families at risk as a Counselor in the Intake/Assessment Unit of the Pius XII Youth & Family Services, Court Diversion Project at Bronx Family Court (1986-1989). She was also Director of Family Shelter Service for the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), Long Island, NY (1989-1994), overseeing five shelters.

As a member of the New Ventures Project of the Eastern American Area, she was involved in researching possible new ministries for the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. The research led to the decision to open a community center in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Sr. Susan was a Co-Founder and Co-Director of the RSHM LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) Center when it opened in 1995. She was responsible for supervising many of the wide variety of programs offered to the immigrant community and beyond, serving toddlers to seniors. She became Executive Director in 2001.

During the 30 years since the RSHM LIFE Center opened, the scope of its programs has increased. An immigration legal service was begun to meet the changing needs of the community it serves. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the LIFE Center worked closely with the Rotary Club and local businesses to provide a central source of much-needed food security and educational stability.

She was frequently consulted by other community leaders on matters relating to the Sleepy Hollow Latin or immigrant families that she represented. These community leaders included the school district, the police department, the Village municipality, the local Chamber of Commerce, and others.

Sr. Susan served on the Tarrytown District Equity Committee advancing the commitment to equity and racial justice in the school district and on the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative. She was a member of the North Tarrytown Housing Authority and had served as the Board Chair.

Sr. Susan served the RSHM Eastern American Area as a member of the Area Leadership Team (2021-2024). She had been a member of the Board of Trustees of Marymount Manhattan College and Istituto Marymount, Rome, Italy.

She received many awards for her service, including the Faithful Servant Award from Catholic Charities; the Père Gailhac Award presented in recognition of continuous and outstanding service to Marymount Manhattan College. Most recently she had been chosen to be Grand Marshall of the 2025 Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown St. Patrick's Day Parade

Sr. Susan is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her cousins, Jane and Jackie Privitera, and by the members of her religious family.

Services at Marymount Convent, 32 Warren Avenue, Tarrytown, NY. Visiting Thursday, January 23, 2025, 4:00 - 7:00 pm with Vigil Service 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, January 24, 2025, 10:30 am. Burial Mount Calvary Cemetery, White Plains.

We invite you to join us for the Vigil Service and Mass at Marymount Convent or by live-stream on our website (www.rshm-east.org).