Susan A. Mast

Susan A. Mast, 78, of West Long Branch, passed away peacefully and transitioned into everlasting life on October 26, 2022. She lived her life with grace, strength and love. Born on July 14, 1944 in Long Branch, New Jersey, Susan was the daughter of Renee and John Plancey. She grew up in North Long Branch and graduated from Long Branch High School. Susan went on to Glassboro College to study education and later received her Master’s degree at Monmouth College.

Susan’s passion growing up and throughout her life was music and playing the flute. She was a member of the NJ All-State Band and later became a member of The Greater Shore Concert Band. She was with the latter for over fifty years, toured the world and performed with them at Carnegie Hall, in NYC.

Teaching was not only her career path, but her calling. She taught for over 40 years and finished her career in the Eatontown School System. She reached innumerable students through her classroom instruction and more still in private, instrumental lessons on her lunch break. There were many evenings she hosted students at her home for dinner, and all students were treated to home baked cupcakes, ala Mrs. Mast, on their birthday in class.

Susan was also a tireless, loving and devoted mother to her daughters, Christine and Patricia. She never missed a swim meet one of the girls was competing in, or a game Patricia cheered at. There were days she spent more time in the car transporting the girls to various events than she did at their home, but this never prevented her from presenting a hot, homemade dinner each evening. She honed her baking skills over the years and is well-known for her apple pies and holiday meals.

Later Susan spent her time as a doting and tireless grandmother of four. She was often on the floor playing with one of them or reading a book. As the children grew, she helped with childcare, running them to activities and once again could be found cheerleading on the sidelines of various sporting events and dance recitals.

Susan was also blessed with a son, Marc Mangold, as she and Gordon became his guardian for a year when he studied at Shore Regional HS. Marc and Susan held a unique bond that only a mother and son could know.

Susan was predeceased by her parents John and Renee (Englander) Plancey, her husband and love of her life, Gordon and her daughter, Patricia Pecoraro. Susan is survived by her daughter, Christine Haney and her husband, Michael; her son-in-law, Michael Pecoraro; Marc Mangold, her “adopted” son and his wife Natalia; and the lights of her life, her four grandchildren, Isabella, Sophia, Connor and Bryce. Also surviving are her brother, John and his wife Cornelia, as well as many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends whose visits, letters and phone calls meant a great deal these past few years.

A special thank-you to the angels God brought to help add quality of life to Susan these last few years…Mr. John, Paige, Michele, Christy, Tiffany (Rose), Laura, Melissa, Constance, Lola and her brother who never grew tired of watching the Hallmark channel with Susan.

A memorial gathering will be held at Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue in Long Branch from 5-8 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2022. Family and friends are asked to go directly to church on Friday for a 10:30 am Mass at Holy Trinity Church, 408 Prospect Street in Long Branch. Interment will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to https://fulfillnj.org/; Susan and Gordon never wanted a child to go without, especially food or https://www.smiletrain.org/. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the Tribute/Guestbook link above.

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