Jean Susino

Jean Susino (nee Baker), age 87, of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 27, 2025, with her loving family by her side.

Jean was born and raised in Paterson, NJ, one of ten children born to Kenneth and Edith Baker. She attended Central High School in Paterson and carried with her the strong values and work ethic she learned early in life.

She fell madly in love with Joseph Susino, and on September 24, 1955, the two eloped to Brooklyn, New York. It was the start of a lifelong love story. They returned to Paterson to build their life together and welcomed five children: John, Joseph, Jean, Michele, and April. In 1973, the family moved to Wayne, New Jersey, where Jean remained for the rest of her life.

Jean was the heart of her home. As a devoted homemaker, she managed the household finances, tackled home improvement projects, and even handled bookkeeping for her father-in-law’s service station simply because she was always willing to help. Her family often joked that she was their own version of “Wonder Woman,” somehow doing it all with ease.

Later in life, encouraged by her daughter April, Jean applied for a position with the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department. She was hired right away and worked as a secretary there for over 10 years until her retirement.

Jean’s faith was an important part of her life. She was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church in Wayne and prayed the Rosary every day.

She also knew how to enjoy life and had a competitive spirit. Jean was an avid bowler who played in several local leagues, earning trophies along the way.  Although she never bowled professionally, she took great pride in successfully converting the notoriously difficult 7–10 split multiple times throughout her life.  She traveled to destinations such as Las Vegas and Reno to compete in bowling tournaments also frequently enjoyed horseback riding.

A wonderful cook, Jean was especially known for her homemade pies and ravioli. She loved hosting Sunday dinners and holidays, filling her home with great food, laughter, and love.

Jean will be remembered as funny, upbeat, and incredibly selfless, always putting others before herself. Her greatest joy and true passion in life was her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Jean than providing for and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She and her husband Joseph cherished an amazing seventy years of loving and loyal marriage together. 

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Jean is survived by her husband Joseph Susino, Sr of Wayne, NJ five children; John Susino and his wife Donna of Ocala, FL, Joseph Susino, Jr and his wife Denise of Howell, NJ, Jean Bennett and her husband Scott of Dawsonville, GA, Michele Schaffner and her husband John of Cornwall, NY, and April Hand and her husband Todd of Susquehanna, PA, thirteen grandchildren; Paul Susino of Ocala, FL, John Susino of Ocala, FL, Tina Nicole Susino of Ocala, FL, Melissa Nussbaum of Freehold, NJ, Meghan Susino of Kissimmee, FL, Brittany Susino of Howell, NJ, Alexis Susino of Howell, NJ, Rebecca Susino of Howell, NJ, Michelle Taber of Dawsonville, GA, Alexander Putnam of Dawsonville, GA, John Joseph Schaffner of New Windsor, NY, Sonny Schaffner of Lake Tahoe, CA, and TJ Hand of Susquehanna, PA, and fourteen great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by all nine of her siblings.