Susan K. DiMartino

Weston - Susan K. DiMartino battled pancreatic cancer for nearly three years. Throughout her journey, she was an inspiration to her family and her many friends in Weston and throughout Boston. Susan is survived by her husband of 45 years, Arthur" Buzz" DiMartino; her children, Paul A. DiMartino of Minneapolis, Julia C. DiMartino of Boston, and A. Laurie DiMartino of Cambridge. She passed onto the Lord in peace surrounded by love at home on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. She was 70.

Susan's legacy is her indomitable, effusive spirit and positive attitude; even in the face of pancreatic cancer she was encouraging to all. By many, she was considered a "most inspiring cancer patient", who remained elegant, feisty and engaged throughout her final journey.

Susan was born in Vincennes Indiana, a daughter of the late Bruce Carr Kixmiller and Annabelle Gardner (Clark) Kixmiller. Raised in Washington, DC, she lived most recently in Weston, MA, for 32 years. Susan's priority was to be a loving wife and mother. In a grade school project, her son described her: "she has brown hair, blue eyes, and a heart of gold." Susan and Buzz were happily married for 45 years, enjoying hospitality at home and traveling. One of Susan's favorite mottos was: "treat family like company and company like family." Other survivors include her brother, David B. Kixmiller and his wife, Wendy of Menlo Park, California and her sister, Margaret Vickers and her husband, Dr. Martin Vickers of Augusta, Maine; her sister-in-law, Janet Foreman of Greensboro, North Carolina; nieces & nephews.

Susan was Director of Children's Ministries at Trinity Church Copley Square under Rev. Sam Lloyd. Susan's enthusiasm helped to establish a new direction for Trinity by recruiting volunteer teachers and initiating vibrant, comprehensive programs for children and youth: where they enrolled 346 children on Sundays and in outreach programs!

Susan was blessed to be a full-time mother and was very involved in her local community of Weston and its schools, as well as in Junior League of Boston, and the Art in Bloom Program at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Over the years, she served on the boards of Weston Educational Enrichment Program, Rombas France and Porto Alegre Brazil International Student Exchange Program, Connection Ecumenical Youth Ministry for teens, Weston Garden Club, Host Committee for the yearlong celebration of Weston's 300th Anniversary, and of course Brownie and Girl Scout Leader!

Susan was also active in many volunteer programs and especially enjoyed "getting the job done". Susan volunteered for 5 years in the Early Intervention Infant and Toddler Program at Perkins School for the Blind. This wonderful program kept her grounded and grateful as she worked with the toddlers, as well as in-service training for professionals from 65 countries. She also volunteered in the Love Lane Special Needs Equine Therapy program; how she loved working with these children and the horses!

Susan enjoyed greatly meeting with friends and planning her 45th reunion from Wheaton College and her 50th reunion at Mount Vernon Seminary, Washington, D.C. Susan graduated from Wheaton College in 1969 with a BA in Psychology.

Recently, Susan took on a new mission, as a patient diagnosed and living with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. With a fighting spirit, filled with grace, love, hope and faith, she inspired all to always move onward. Her positive attitude has shown many a way for joyful living in spite of cancer. She proudly made her second Lustgarten Walk for Pancreatic Cancer Research in October. With her Susan's Solemates Team, they raise $30,000 to fund their research.

Susan was especially thankful to her extended "care team" during these past 3 years including: the "Weston Dinner Angels", the chemo nursing group and doctors at The Tucker Gosnell Cancer Center at MGH, the Interventional Radiology Department at MGH, and her Susan's Solemates. Susan always thanked God for the precious gift of time, allowing her to savor the best in life: family and friends, while embracing faith and prayers.

Family and friends will honor and remember Susan's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, (Rt. 20) Waltham, on Friday, January 5, 2018 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Her Funeral Service will be celebrated on Saturday morning, January 6th in Trinity Church, Copley Square, 206 Clarendon Street, Boston at 11 a.m. (parking available in adjacent Back Bay parking garage on Clarendon Street). Burial in Linwood Cemetery, Weston is private.

In lieu of flowers donations may be offered to Trinity Boston Foundation 206 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116 https://trinityinspires.org/; or Dr. David Ryan, The Tucker Gosnell Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114-1101 https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/t1/