Susan Rita Castellano - Civitelli of North Branford died March 17, 2023 at Yale New Haven Hospital after a long illness. She was the devoted wife and soul mate of the late Anthony J. Civitelli, whom she wed October 9, 1976. Susan was born in New Haven to the late Angelo and Gloria (Canestri) Castellano on May 17, 1951. She attended St. Michael’s Grammar School in New Haven, Mount Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, and Southern Connecticut State College. She was the recipient of a degree in English/Literature.

She worked for First Bank in New Haven and The Repich Group in North Branford.

Susan was a dedicated Tony Conigliaro/Boston Red Sox fan and a devout Beatles fan. She was a writer of both prose and poetry, a lover of words and language, a music trivia expert, and above all, a passionate music lover. Susan had a wonderful sense of humor, an immeasurable kindness, a passion for philosophy, a love of Kahlil Gibran, and most of all, an endless commitment to her family. She tried to fill every second of her life with laughter, love and happiness. Her biggest joys were being a wife to Anthony, mom to her two loving daughters, Nonnie, to her two beloved grandsons and devoted sister to her brother Michael John.

Susan is survived by her daughters, Maria Civitelli and John Ellis of North Branford, Cristina Civitelli-Sands and her husband Dana of North Branford, her two grandsons, Matthew Angelo and Douglas Anthony both of North Branford and her beloved brother Michael J. Castellano and his wife Judy of Guilford. She also leaves behind a brother-in-law, Albert Civitelli and two sisters in law, Theresa Civitelli and Carol Ann Civitelli Byers of New London. She also leaves behind two nieces Beth Castellano and Anna Civitelli, two nephews, Steven Castellano and Patrick Civitelli, two great-nieces, two great-nephews, many cousins and friends. She was also the granddaughter of the late Michele and Caroline (Coppola ) Canestri and the late Michele and Assunta (Villani) Castellano.

Most certainly she would bid adieu to friends and family with her words, “Good night world... peace and don’t forget to love somebody.” The family would like to express their thanks to Dr. Allen Rodriguez of Chapel Pulmonary Critical Care and the VITAS hospice nurses and staff at Yale MICU.

Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 10:00am-12:00pm in the Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc. 11 Wooster Pl. New Haven. A Catholic service will be held in the funeral home at 12:00pm. Burial will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Susan’s memory may be made to The Jimmy Fund c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 10 Brookline Place Brookline, Mas 02445, www.danafarber.jimmyfund.org/donate.