Sister Susan Gardella, RSHM died peacefully at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Yonkers, NY, Tuesday, January 14, 2025. She was 67 and had been a member of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary (RSHM) for 39 years.
Susan Teresa Gardella was born in New York City, NY, on July 31, 1957, the only child of William and Dorothy Bernard Gardella.
She received a BA in Art History with a minor in Secondary Education from Marymount Manhattan College, NYC, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Manhattan University, Bronx, NY.
She entered the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary on September 19, 1982. She made her first vows on June 1, 1985, in Butler Memorial Chapel, Marymount, Tarrytown, NY where she later made her final vows on May 19, 1991.
Sister Susan’s years of ministry were focused on helping families, both children and parents. She worked with at-risk families as a Counselor in the Intake/Assessment Unit of the Pius XII Youth & Family Services, Court Diversion Project at Bronx Family Court (1986-1989). She was also Director of Family Shelter Service for the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN), Long Island, NY (1989-1994), overseeing five shelters.
As a member of the New Ventures Project of the Eastern American Area, she researched possible new ministries for the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. The research led to the decision to open a community center in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Sister Susan was a Co-Founder and Co-Director of the RSHM LIFE (Learning Is For Everyone) Center when it opened in 1995. She supervised many of the varied programs offered to the immigrant community and beyond, serving toddlers to seniors. She became Executive Director in 2001.
During the 30 years since the RSHM LIFE Center opened, the scope of its programs has increased. An immigration legal service was begun to meet the changing needs of the community it serves. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the LIFE Center worked closely with the Rotary Club and local businesses to provide a central source of much-needed food security and educational stability.
Community leaders frequently consulted with her on matters related to the Sleepy Hollow Latin and immigrant families she represented. These community leaders included the school district, the police department, the Village municipality, the local Chamber of Commerce, and others.
Sister Susan served on the Tarrytown District Equity Committee advancing the commitment to equity and racial justice in the school district and on the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative. She was a member of the North Tarrytown Housing Authority and had served as the Board Chair.
Sister Susan served the RSHM Eastern American Area as a member of the Area Leadership Team (2021-2024). She had been a member of the Board of Trustees of Marymount Manhattan College and Istituto Marymount, Rome, Italy.
She received many awards for her service, including the Faithful Servant Award from Catholic Charities; the Père Gailhac Award presented in recognition of continuous and outstanding service to Marymount Manhattan College. Most recently she had been chosen to be Grand Marshall of the 2025 Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sister Susan is predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her cousins, Jane and Jackie Privitera, and by the members of her religious family.
Services will be at Marymount Convent, 32 Warren Avenue, Tarrytown, NY. Visiting is on Thursday, January 23, 2025, 4:00 – 7:00 pm, with the Vigil Service at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, January 24, 2025, at 10:30 am. Burial Mount Calvary Cemetery, White Plains.
We invite you to join us for the Vigil Service and Mass at Marymount Convent or by live stream on our website (www.rshm-east.org), where they will be archived.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in her name may be made to Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, 50 Wilson Park Drive, Tarrytown, NY, 10591.