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Methuen — Susan J. Campisi, 62, beloved wife of Michael Campisi died peacefully at home following a long illness (two battles) with breast cancer. Susan bravely-fought her illness and beat the odds of survival that impressed her doctors and caregivers. She was born June 22, 1950, the daughter of the late, Thomas Patrick and Mildred Buckley.
Susan grew up in Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence High in 1968, then moved to Methuen. Joined Ma Bell and worked as a Telephone Operator for 26 years until her retirement in 1994. Susan enjoyed her job and the many fascinating calls she experienced over the years.
Susan was also known as “Susie” and “Buck” by her family and friends. Susan shared forty years of marriage with her devoted loving husband, Michael and was committed to her two Rottweiler dogs, Santos and Gus. Susan not only loved her dogs, but had affection for all animals. Susan had a special charisma that attracted animals to her. She once found a stray cat or he found her and ended up caring for him for over two years. She enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and rabbits in her yard. She collected designer and stuffed bears, loved antiques and old country western music.
Susan’s strength and endurance was astonishing during her illness. She was a member of Latitude Sports Club and worked out five days a week, participated in spin and aerobic classes, and walked four miles a day. She also assisted with the care of her mother during this trying time until her mother's death. Susan was a longtime and active member of St. George’s Primitive Methodist Church in Methuen. She actively participated in their fundraising events and was the collection secretary for a period of time. She also volunteered to walk in the Holy Family Hospital “Cancer Walk” raising money for over ten years. She was very charitable always collecting helpful articles for donation to the Methuen, MSPCA and made monthly donations to St. Jude’s Hospital along with many other agencies.
In addition to her loving husband; her dogs, Gus and Santos, Susan is also survived by three sisters, Janet wife of Donald Christenson of Duxbury, Joan Griffin and her life partne,r Allan Legro of Peabody, and Nancy, wife of Daniel McKallagat of Salisbury; sister-in-law, Cynthia and her husband, Rodger Alexa of Salem, N.H.; and a brother-in-law, Raymond Vaillancourt of Lawrence; aunt and uncle, Evelyn and John Anton of Atkinson, N.H.; an aunt Margaret Dawson of Lawrence; as well as, several nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces and nephews, and friends.
Special thanks to Merrimack Valley Hospice and her niece, Susan LaCroix for their devotion and loving care.
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and relatives are invited to call on Sunday, March 10, from 4-8 p.m. at the Charles F. Dewhirst Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 11, at 12:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at the Bellevue Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Methuen MSPCA. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.dewhirstfuneral.com or www.facebook.com/DewhirstFuneralHome.
