In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations are made to ASPCA or your local animal shelter.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our angel and matriarch, Susie M. Beck.  On July 24, 2023 at the age of 98, she peacefully joined her husband, Peter Beck Sr.; parents, Frank and Theresa Garabo; and brother and sister-in-law, Anthony & Virginia Garabo.

She was born Assunta Marie Garabo in Jersey City, NJ on April 1, 1925. The midwife did not come until a few days later to notate her birth as April 2, which allowed her to share a birthday with her beloved father. In her later years, she was often pampered on both days.

Susie considered herself from "all over" and was proud of having lived in numerous places including Melfi Italy, Manhattan, The Bronx, Newburgh NY, Coral Springs FL, Tamarac FL, Palm Bay FL, and Pawtucket RI.

Susie is survived by her 2 children, Peter (Cathy) Beck, Jr. and Theresa (James, Jr) Coleman; her 2 step-daughters, Jean and Darlene; her grandchildren, Tracie, Jamie, Peter III, Nicole and James III; her 2 great-grandchildren, Liam and Giada; her nephew, Franklin; her grand-nephew, Drew; her grand-niece, Judi; and her niece Julia. She was also dearly loved by their partners, Cathy, Candy, Deane, James Jr, Ansar, Bill, Michele, Janie, Christina, Dee, and Ryan. Her in-laws, James and Jennie Coleman, Sr. will dearly miss her, too. She will forever be a bingo buddy to Mike, Susan, and Cindy. She is also survived by her grand/great-grand fur babies, step grand/great-grandchildren, and countless others whose lives she has touched over the years.

While she only finished Junior High, she was wise beyond measure. She had dreams of becoming a secretary and excelled at her final job as a file clerk for American Bank Stationery. She was so proud when recounting how her co-workers always knew they could count on her to locate a file they needed. She did not get to spend enough time with her husband and mother in her retirement as they both passed within a few years but, she will always be remembered as an amazing caregiver to both in their final years. However, she was never lonely. She was lucky to have loving family close by, she helped raise her grandchildren (Peter III, Nicole, James III) and a had great community of friends to keep her time occupied. She loved spending time at her community pool, playing Kings in the Corner and winning at Bingo.

Susie will be remembered for her great love of family, friends, animals, food, laughter, bingo, playing the slots, dancing, singing, road trips, crosswords, word searches, and her collection of angels. She was proud of her family and kept a memory box full of all of their accomplishments. She was known for "treating" her family and friends to a meal out and particularly loved going to breakfast. She was always up for sharing a beer, especially if there was pizza to go with it. She had a zest for life and had many adventures in her 98 years. She even went on one last overseas adventure when, at the age of 93, Nicole and Janie took her on a 5-day cruise to Cuba along with Janie's Parents.

Through the years she had the joy of living with her son, Peter and his wife, Cathy, in their home in Palm Bay, FL. She enjoyed all the time this allowed her to spend close to her family especially, with her grandchildren, Tracie, Jamie, Peter III. She felt so blessed when her first great-grandchild Liam (Jamie & Bill) was born and her heart was filled with joy the first time she heard her new name "Nana". She especially loved watching the squirrels come up to her window for peanuts. She enjoyed capturing pictures of the birds with her camera, which her granddaughter, Tracie, happily developed. She celebrated countless family gatherings, birthdays, dinner outings, and holidays while there. And of course, developed long-term friendships at her twice a week bingo outings and casino/arcade visits.

Susie spent several years living in Sunrise, FL with her daughter, Theresa and her husband, James, Jr. She enjoyed spending time with them and her grandson James III who still lived at home. They had countless laughs and enjoyed watching movies together. She liked to relax in her recliner, never missing an episode of Young and the Restless, while the family cats kept her company. She developed a special bond with Isabel "Itty Bits" who cuddled on her lap every day. "Itty Bits" passed this year not long before Susie. She, of course, continued her bingo outings every chance she got and was known to offer her grandson, James III, gas money for extra trips to bingo. The connections she made with her bingo buddies never wavered.

Before her 90th birthday she proclaimed "who better to live with in my old age than a doctor and nurse," and gave her granddaughter, Nicole and wife, Janie, the honor of caring for her in their home in Pawtucket, RI until she was almost 95. She was overjoyed to "babysit" her great-grand fur babies Sidd, Kit-Kat, and Frannie while Nicole and Janie were at work. Living in New England allowed Susie the opportunity to bless many more lives and she quickly became "everyone's Grandma." She especially filled a grandparent void in the life of good friend Linda and her family. She definitely left her mark on Lil' Rhody and of course gained more bingo friends along the way.

Susie's last years were spent making friends with the staff and residents at her new home, Pacifica Senior Living in Sunrise, FL. While her initial year at Pacifica was difficult due to the pandemic, she was very excited when she could start having visitors again. She was thrilled to spend quality time with her family and especially her new great-granddaughter Giada (James III & Christina). She continued to enjoy many local adventures with her family. After returning home from her last outing in June, she was proud to tell everyone the wonderful experience she had watching Giada perform in her very first dance recital.

Susie always longed to see family but we rest easy knowing she was loved by many over the years. Our family would like to give special thanks to all those who cared for her at Pacifica as we know she touched the lives of many. We would also like to thank Miss Monica who really helped Susie to thrive in her final months.

Susie was surrounded by family in her final days and we know her soul is at peace. Susie (Susie Q, Suzy, Sue, SuSu), Mom, Grandma, and Nana … is now an angel watching over all of us. May she come to mind when a butterfly is near. May all of our memories remain "happy…oh yes, oh yes, oh yes indeed."

Share your memories of Susie or express condolences to her family through our online guestbook.