Obituary of Suzanne B Mantuano

Born to the late Robert L. and Alice S. Burns, Suzanne Ethel Burns Mantuano, 56, of Flanders, NJ, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. At the time of her death she was living at the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon, NJ after a tenaciously fought battle with ovarian cancer. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Barbara, brother Steve, mother and father-inlaw, several aunts, uncles, cousins, and her grandparents. Suzanne is survived by her loving husband, John Mantuano; beloved Aunt Ethel Williams; sister, Debra (Peter) Parts; brothers, Robert Jr. (Deborah) and John (Angella) Burns; sister-in-law, Vina (Reid) Sterrett; nieces and nephews, Ashley (Kris) Phagan, Matthew (Emily) Burns, Joshua Burns, Julie (Yves) Gerber, David (Cherile) Sterrett; god-son, Conner Phagan; step-children, Kimberly, Michael, and Karolyn Mantuano and Kathryn McGuire and their children; life-long best friend, Lisa Gildenmeister; cousins; and 10 great-nieces and nephews. After graduating in 1980 from Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Ohio, she studied recreation & management at Bowling Green State University which led to work at Smuggler’s Notch Ski Resort in Vermont. After moving to Florida, she met John while they both worked at the Ramada Inn in Daytona Beach and they later moved back to his native New Jersey. Suzanne became a valued employee of the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, contributing her time, talents and love of people for almost 30 years. She first served as the Y’s Membership Director and most recently as the IT Director. Suzanne’s creativity and devotion will continue to impact the Y, its members and its staff for decades to come. Her bright, positive outlook and quirky sense of humor made coming to the Y a joy for all who knew her. Suzanne was known for her artistic eye and attention to detail which was evident in decorating the home she shared with her special cowboy, John. In addition, she loved learning about her backyard birds, flowers and animals, sharing her “Burns” humor, bursting spontaneously into song triggered by a random phrase, finding the good in everyone and being the consummate hostess. The planning she did for family visits such as Burns Women Weekend or her Super Bowl extravaganza was legendary, complete with a jam-packed typed itinerary of fun-filled activities and decadent home-made meals prepared by Sue and her garcon, John. She loved her Yankees and Browns, cheering them on through good years and bad. A woman of remarkable faith, Sue’s positive attitude and sparkling spirit made her a joy to be with and an example to be followed. Suzanne was a beautiful person both inside and out and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, August 3rd, 2019, from 2 – 3:30 pm at the Tuttle Funeral Home with a memorial service to celebrate her time on earth immediately following, also at the Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 NJ-10, Randolph, NJ 07869. The family would like to thank the staffs of Carol Simon Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital and Clinic, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Kato and his staff, and the staff at Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice for their care and kindness during her journey. The family would appreciate remembrances of either flowers or donations to be made in memory of Suzanne B. Mantuano to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, 14 Pennsylvania Plaza, Suite 2110, New York, NY 10122 or online at www.ocrahope.org. Arrangements by Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 NJ-10, Randolph, NJ 07869 (www.tuttlefh.com)