Suzette Hallstrom of Milford passed peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, Jan. 5 from complications following a valiant nine-month battle against bile duct carcinoma. She was 76. The daughter of Michael and Anna (Tomasko) Paskunak, Suzette was born on June 5, 1941. She graduated in 1959 from Stratford High School, where she was a cheerleader. Her vibrant personality followed her through life. She worked for 16 years at Bridgeport Fittings and most recently spent more than 15 years as an administrative assistant at CironeFreidberg, LLP at the company’s Bridgeport office.

Suzette was an active parishioner at St. Gabriel Church in Milford for 51 years. She volunteered her time and talent as a religious education teacher and as an extraordinary minister of holy communion, where she especially found joy in bringing communion to the homebound. She was active in the PTO at Simon Lake Elementary School, the president of the Milford Volunteer Fire Department Co. 3 Lady’s Auxiliary and a member of the St. Frances Cabrini Mother Circle.

Suzette’s hobbies included golf, bowling and walking along the Silver Sands Boardwalk. She was a fan of the New York Yankees and New York Giants, and could always be found in the audience at her grandchildren’s baseball games, swimming meets, wrestling meets, debate tournaments and dance recitals. Suzette loved to travel and made trips to Ireland, Italy, Greece, Aruba, as well as many other places during her lifetime. Her first trip was to Hawaii with her brother, David Paskunak, and his family.

Suzette leaves behind three children: Michele (Hallstrom) Otero and her husband, Edwin Otero; Kenneth Hallstrom; and Eric Hallstrom and his wife, Vicky Hallstrom. She is also survived by five grandchildren, to whom she was known as “Grammie Sue”: Jordan (Otero) Sisson and her husband, Nathan; Ashley Hallstrom; Eric and Mason Hallstrom; and Connor Hallstrom. She was also anticipating the arrival of her first great grandchild, of Jordan and Nathan. Suzette was predeceased by her parents and brother.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Gabriel Church, 26 Broadway, Milford, CT. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 4 to 8 p.m. at CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 Broad St., Milford, CT.   In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Closer to Free Fund for Smilow Cancer Hospital.