Suzanne L. (Ciulla) Galetto

Greece: January 7, 2025. Sue is predeceased by her parents, Joseph & Jennie Ciulla; husband, Thomas P. Galetto; brother, Jimi Ciulla. She is survived by her daughters, Andrea (Lee) Hicks & Aimee (Paul) Pfeiffer; grandchildren, Ashlee Hicks, Cole Hicks, Grace Pfeiffer & Rose Pfeiffer; siblings, JoAnn Cisterna & Bill Ciulla; niece, nephew, cousins, & dear friends.

Sue’s life story will be shared during her visitation, on Sunday, January 12th, 12-3 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.). Her funeral service will be celebrated, on Monday, January 13th, 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Immediately following, she will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Meridian Centre Blvd., Suite 110, Rochester, NY 14618 in her memory.

Remembering Sue:

Suzanne L. Galetto, known affectionately as Sue, was born on May 13, 1948, in Rochester, NY, to Jennie and Joseph Ciulla. Jennie, a housewife and caretaker, and Joseph, a machinist for Ritter Tool, created a loving home for Sue and her siblings—JoAnn, Jimi (who passed away in 1990), and Bill. Growing up, Sue shared many fond moments with her father, watching Westerns and game shows, and developed her culinary skills by observing her mother, becoming an exceptional cook.

Sue attended Hoover Drive Elementary School and Junior High before graduating from Greece Olympia High School in 1966, where she was an active member of the National Honor Society, Pep Club, and Latin Club. After high school, Sue briefly attended Monroe Community College for one year.

From a young age, Sue demonstrated a natural inclination to care for others, always putting the needs of others before her own. She especially loved hosting family gatherings, from holiday dinners to birthday celebrations. Her birthday often fell on Mother’s Day, making the day even more special for her family. As a devoted mother and grandmother, Sue enjoyed making cherished memories with her four grandchildren, often playing games like Crazy Eights, and Scrabble, and creating crafts with them. One of her favorite pastimes was playing school bus on the staircase at Andrea’s house.

Sue worked in accounting for many years, beginning her career at Kodak before marrying Thomas, her lifelong love. After they married in 1970, she stayed home to care for their daughters, Andrea (born in 1971) and Aimee (born in 1974). Sue later worked for First Federal Downtown, Nylomold Corporation, and Redcom Corporations, where she retired in 2015.

Throughout her life, she was known for her creativity and cooking skills, with specialties including homemade minestrone soup, manicotti, twice-baked potatoes, and her signature pineapple cookies. Baking was one of Sue’s favorite activities, and her family fondly remembers her for making everything from pineapple upside-down cake to blueberry cinnamon streusel coffee cake and Christmas cutout cookies, which she often made with her grandchildren.

Sue’s love for gardening was evident in her beautifully tended flowers, particularly her cherished pansies. Her brother Bill played a special role in her life, often bringing her pansies for her birthday, a tradition she treasured. After Sue was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Bill remained a constant source of support, bringing humor and love into her life.

Sue’s life with Tom was filled with love and companionship. The couple met at a J-48 picnic in 1966, when Sue was just 18. They married at St. John the Evangelist Church in Greece on September 5, 1970, after Tom returned from serving in the Navy. Their relationship was marked by many love letters exchanged during Tom’s time away, and together, they enjoyed vacations, especially in the Adirondacks. They spent many autumns there, with Sue and Tom savoring the quiet and beauty of the Waldheim on the shores of Big Moose Lake, their favorite retreat.

Sue’s closest friends, Leslie, Kathy, Lynnae, and Sharon, were a significant part of her life, some of whom she had known since elementary school. Despite the challenges of distance and busy lives, they kept their friendships alive with regular lunches and dinners. Although Sue and Lynnae didn’t see each other often due to Lynnae’s relocation to Virginia, their bond remained strong.

Sue’s love of music was another defining characteristic of her personality. She enjoyed dancing and singing to country music and classic hits from the 60s and 70s, with Queen being a favorite band. Sue’s spirit was lifted when she attended a concert by the tribute band, Almost Queen, in the company of her favorite aide, Essence, and Emma, who is in charge of the activities for the 4th-floor memory care and neuro unit at the Jewish Home.

Her favorite television shows were Westerns, especially those from the 50s and 60s, which reminded her of her father. Shows like Wagon Train, The Virginian, Bonanza, The Wild Wild West, and Rawhide were constant favorites, and she often watched them on MeTV. Later in life, she discovered a love for the Minions movies, which added another layer to her playful and joyful personality.

Sue’s legacy is one of love, care, and devotion to her family and friends. She was a kind and compassionate woman, whose cooking, sewing, and baking skills will never be forgotten. She was creative, smart, and had an infectious sense of humor that continued well into her later years. Her anxiety was a challenge she faced with courage, but it never overshadowed her love for her family. Sue’s family will always remember her for her boundless care, her delicious meals, her beautiful gardens, and the joy she brought to everyone around her. Her memory lives on through the countless lessons she imparted, her culinary creations, and the love she shared with her daughters, grandchildren, and all who were lucky enough to know her.