Obituary of Diana C. Sucich

Diana C. Sucich, Ph.D, affectionately known as DD, entered into eternal rest on February 12, 2015. Born in NYC on April 23, 1948, she was the daughter of Nickolaus (Nick) and Milica (Mildred) Sucich both of whom predeceased her. Dr. Sucich was employed as a school psychologist at several Mid-Hudson Valley area schools. Most of her tenure was in the Wappingers Central School District in which she retired from in 2005. She graduated in 1966 from Roy C. Ketcham High School, where she loved being a part of Masque and Mime. She received her BA from Mount Ida College in Newton, Ma., had attended Springfield College in Mass, as well as attended California Western School of Law. She received her Ph.D in psychology from USIU (U.S. International University) in San Diego, California. She was a member of the PSI CHI Psychological Honor Society and helped open the department of sociology. While at USIU, Diana volunteered for numerous activities and served on numerous committees. Professionally she presented at local, state and national conventions. She was taught by recognized leaders in the field of psychology. She was a member of the Dutchess County Emergency Response team and a strong advocate and activist for the handicapped. DD traveled internationally and was a loyal friend. She had a passion for theater, a love for dancing and enjoyed listening to music, and most recently to "totally 70s". Her most favorite pastimes were spent with her mother taking long car rides visiting friends and family. DD was also a member of St. Mary's Church of Wappingers Falls, where she also attended and graduated from grade school. DD is survived by a brother, Miko Sucich of Croatia; her niece, Lori Jiava, who cared for her ailing aunt, and Chris, along with their children, AnaCristina and Christopher Matteo Jiava of Wappingers Falls, who meant the world to DD; her nephews, Joseph and Nicolas Sucich of Wappingers Falls; and her closest and most dearest friends whom she considered family, Karol Tasnady, Shannon Brescia- who helped care for her, Roger Higgins, Mike Robinson, Steve Shuchat, Father MacAlear, Dr. Bruce Waxman, Jeanette & Ed Lown, Mariella Garrido, Daizy Alvarez, Marian Paske, Mary Rients and Sunny Mullen. She was predeceased by her brothers Mladen (Mel) and Anthony Sucich. The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Ritter from Palliative Care at Vassar Brothers for his tireless efforts to support Diana's wishes, the staff in PCU, the unit staff at South Circle 6 – Neuro, the visiting nurses of Westchester and all of her care givers that provided such wonderful and compassionate 24 hour care at her home for the last 4 months. Family will receive friends on Monday, February 16, 2015 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday, February 17th at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 11 Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls. Entombment will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery, Route 9, Fishkill. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.