Obituary of Suzanne Gloria Gaccione

Suzanne Gaccione (nee Hoffman) passed peacefully from this world on October 23, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.  Born in Brooklyn, NY, she was the only child of Milton and Gloria Hoffman.  As a young child, Suzanne was unable to properly pronounce her name correctly, so she called herself Shushu - a name and identity her family came to understand was her more fun and devilish side.

Life had not always been easy for Suzanne.  During her young adult years, she was dealt with domestic abuse, a miscarriage and eventually a divorce, all by the time she was 23 years old.  These events, however, led her to the love of her life, Sandy.  There was absolutely nothing they wouldn't do for one another.  They were married for just shy of 40 years but had been together for almost 50.   

She worked as a bank teller for a number of years - a job she loved as she enjoyed chatting with all of her customers.  She was an avid gardener and often praised by neighbors for her flowers.  Later in life, Suzanne dealt with some major health issues, including a mini stroke, a craniotomy and a heart attack.  Two years after her husband's passing, Suzanne eventually came to live with her daughter and her family.  During the 5 years she lived with her daughter, Suzanne enjoyed all sorts of adventures and excursions, including her annual concert to see her beloved Trans-Siberian Orchestra, cruises to Belize where she and the family had a private professional photo shoot, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Honduras where she held a slot, the Bahamas where she swam with dolphins, and finally getting to see the magnificent glaciers and sled dogs of Alaska, where she also panned for gold.  When Suzanne sought a bit more tranquility and nature, she would spend time with her son and his family, where she could hear the animals in the backyard.   Despite how hard her life had once been, she always had a smile on her face, a compassionate hear for others, and a zest for life.  She also enjoyed bird watching - hummingbirds being her favorite - or working on a good word search puzzle. 

In her final months, Suzanne found new friendships with the caring and loving people who cared for her.  Whether they were sitting around watching game shows together, playing a game of Scrabble or Memory, talking about each other's lives and families, or they were tending to her needs, there was always laughter and hugs.  At the end of each visit, she would give them a hug and kiss goodbye, saying, "I'll see you tomorrow" and go on and tell her family just how special and sweet each one was.  They came to be known as "Suzy's Angels".  Thank you Home Instead - Chris S., Kristy C., Johana S., and Rinal D.; and to Community Visiting Nurses/Community Care Hospice - Elaine, Sabina and Kaitlyn. 

Suzanne was predeceased by her parents, a son Michael, born sleeping (1968) and her beloved husband Sandy (2018).  She leaves behind her devoted daughter Denise Cook, her loving son John Gruber, her favorite son-in-law/son-in-love and care giver Mark Cook, her daughter-in-law Karin Gruber whom she loved like a daughter, and the three absolute joys of her life, her grandchildren - Baylee Cook, Andrew Cook and Zachary Gruber.  She will be greatly missed also by her grand puppies Buster & Meadow Cook and Norman Gruber and her great grand kitty Happy Cook.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either the American Lung Association https://tinyurl.com/lung-associated or the Dementia Society of America https://www.dementiasociety.org/memorials.

Calling hours will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Friday, October 31, 2025 at the MacFadden Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 1, 2025 at the United Presbyterian Church of Belvidere, 224 Mansfield St. Belvidere, NJ.  Entombment will follow I Union Cemetery, Hackettstown, NJ.