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(1932-2023)
Sister Angela Susalla, formerly known as Sister David Mary, died on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 71st year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Angela was born in Detroit to David and Bertha (Zinger) Susalla. She graduated from Rochester High School in Rochester, Michigan. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in mixed science, both from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian.
Sister Angela ministered for 24 years in elementary and secondary education in Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; Fort Walton Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Tallahassee, and West Palm Beach, Florida; and Grafton, West Virginia. This includes 10 years as an elementary and secondary teacher at Rosarian Academy, a sponsored ministry of the Adrian Dominican Congregation in West Palm Beach. She also served six years as a pastoral minister: a year in Eleuthera, Bahamas, and five years for the Diocese of Memphis in Lexington, Tennessee. Her last 31 years of service were spent as a social service minister for Catholic Social Services in Tunica, Mississippi.
Sister Angela became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in Adrian in 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Thomas, Ernest, Larry, and David; and a sister, Elda. She is survived by sisters Elaine Campbell of Troy, Michigan, and Karen Swaim (Gary) of Sevierville, Tennessee; other loving family members; and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2023, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 21, 2023, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery.
Those who are not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.
Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, Michigan, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)
Recording of Sister Angela's Vigil Service - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)
Recording of Sister Angela's Funeral Mass - After clicking the link, download the recording by clicking on the three dots at the bottom right corner of the screen and choosing "Download." Worship Aid (PDF)
Left: Playing on their parents’ car the Susalla children, from left, Ernie, Angela (the baby), David, and Elda, 1933; Center: Elaine, left, and Angela Susalla pose on their First Communion day, May 1941; Right: Angela Susalla, middle, on her graduation day from Rochester High School, June 14, 1951, with her parents, David and Bertha Susalla.
Left: Sister Angela Susalla, Center: Sister Angela (David Mary) visits with her family in Adrian in July 1953. Shown are: back row from left, Bertha (her mother), Sister Angela, and Elda, and front row, from left, Karen and Elaine; Right: Sister David Mary (Angela) appears contemplative during her Reception Day, December 27, 1951.
Left: Sisters Angela Susalla, left, and Virginia King in Tunica, Mississippi; Center: From left, Sisters Attracta Kelly, Angela Susalla, Iva Gregory, and Patricia Siemen, March 1987; Right: Sister Angela enjoys a ride at the Isola Ranch, June 1991.
Left: From left, Sisters Beverly Stark, Christa Marsik, Angela Susalla, and Mary Trzasko celebrate Sister Christa’s Diamond (60-year) Jubilee with the Adrian Crossroads Mission Chapter, November 2, 2019; Right: The Metanoia Mission Group gathered on March 22, 2022. Members are: standing, from left, Sister Angela Susalla, Associate Joan Ebbitt, and Sisters Beverly Stark, Marguerite Renuart, Joan Delaplane, and Beverly Bobola, and seated, from left, Sisters Maria del Rey Plain, Christa Marsik, Frances Madigan, Annette Marie Sinagra, and Myra Jackson. Not pictured is Sister Cele Gorman.
Members of the 2011 Diamond Jubilee Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Nancy Fischer, Barbara Ann Hehr, Patricia Walsh, Mary Louise Head, Joan Weitz, Helen Belsito, Anne Beauvais, and Celeste Mary Bourke; middle row, from left, Sisters Mary Alice Naour, Helen Laier, Thomas Leo Monahan, Patricia Dolan, Angela Susalla, June Racicot, Patricia Spangler, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); and front row, from left, Sisters Marilyn Foster, Marion Coppe, Betty Lou Myers, Robert Irene Buchanan, Mary Alan Stuart, Mary Catherine Nolan, and Jane Robert Stuckel.
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Rest in peace, dear cousin...you are in my thoughts and prayers.I only wish we could have had one more dinner together.
I have always remembered Sister Angela, since I met her in first grade at St. Suzanne’s in Detroit. One day when my teacher, Sister Beata, was going to be late my class was taken across the hall to Sister Angela’s classroom. She already had close to 60 students of her own and here came 58 more! In one classroom! But what I remember most was her saying that God had a special love for people who had problems. When I heard this I wondered if perhaps I be qualified for this position as I had a problem walking. I wore braces and used crutches because I had the poliovirus I’ve never ever forgotten her and was so glad she remembered me after so many years. May she rest in eternal joy and peace. I hope to meet up with her again someday.
As a member of your 1955-1956 first grade classs at St. Suzanne School (in Detroit, Michigan), I am forever grateful for all that you taught me and shared with me. It is my most heartfelt prayer that our Lord Jesus greets you and rewards you with special blesssings and favor for your unselfish contribution to me and all of the people who you met, assisted and inspired on on your earthly journey. With immeasurable love for all of your inspiraction, teaching, and incredible memories left behind,Rudolph Klanseck -- St. Suzanne First Grade Class of 1955-1956
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