Susan LaCivita

Susan LaCivita, age 60, passed away in her Norwood, Massachusetts home on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.  Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on August 4, 1958, she was the daughter of the late Walter P. and Rose M. (Toti) LaCivita.  She was raised in East Walpole and graduated from Chapel Hill Chauncey Hall in Waltham with the Class of 1976.  Susan went on to continue her education at Mount Ida College in Newton, where she found her passion for horseback riding, taking special interest the English riding style.  She earned her business degree in 1978 and opened her own house cleaning business, caring for homes in the Newton area. 

 

Susan met her husband to be, Andrew R. Gibbons, in 1982 by chance one day at the Dunkin Donuts in East Walpole.  They dated for a short time and Drew returned to the spot where they first met to propose to her.  He surprised her by placing her ring in an empty coffee cup before returning to the car.  Susan and Drew were married on September 29, 1985, during a grand ceremony with many bridesmaids and ushers at Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole. 

 

As a devoted daughter, Susan spent many hours managing her father’s apartments.  She was known for her kindness and willingness to help anyone who might be in need of an apartment.  As a devoted wife to Drew, she took great pride in working alongside him, operating their landscaping business.  She trained for and earned her Commercial Drivers License (CDL) as well as her hoisting license, quickly becoming a great operator in both the backhoe and bobcat.  Because of her passion and drive for the business she earned countless jobs over the years.  In addition to maintaining her full-time jobs, Susan made time to attend the Boston Flower show every spring as a vendor, making countless friends over the years.

 

Throughout her life, Susan had a drive to help animals.  She served on the Board of Directors of the Pets and People Foundation in Acton and her love for dogs led her to work with her Great Danes in nursing homes and schools.  While working with the Great Danes, she regularly visited The Maples in Wrentham, Harrington House in Walpole, and the Kennedy Day School (part of the Franciscan Children’s Hospital) in Brighton. 

 

When Susan wasn’t hard at work, she loved spending time with her family and friends.  She shared a very special bond with her nieces and nephews as well as her friend’s children, ensuring they all learned how to drive a car.  She also enjoyed taking trips with Drew to Key West in the winter months and taking various trips to Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard.

 

Beloved wife of Andrew R. “Drew” Gibbons.

Devoted daughter of the late Walter P. and Rose M. (Toti) LaCivita. 

Loving sister of Sandra Daly of Halifax, Walter P. LaCivita and his wife, Diane, of East Walpole, Nancy Wilhelm and her husband, Frank, of Mansfield, Jean O’Brien and her husband, Michael, of Mansfield, and Philip LaCivita of East Walpole. 

Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and close friends. 

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Susan’s Life Celebration on Friday, May 17, 2019 from 4 to 8 PM and Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 9 to 9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Saint Francis Cemetery in Walpole.  In lieu of flowers, gifts in can be made to support Dr. Dietrich’s brain tumor research at Mass General Hospital. Please mail gifts to: MGH, c/o Heidi Bergmeyer, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540,Boston MA 02114.