Susan Marie (Aylward) Sarno

Susan Marie (Aylward) Sarno of Amesbury, formerly of Newburyport, aged 76, died peacefully on August 8th, 2024. Born on May 7th 1948 in Stoneham MA, to the late Gerald and Eileen (Muese) Aylward. Sue was an only child, until “Her David” came to live with them when she was a young teenager. David had the initial title of Cousin, but quickly became David her Brother, whom she loved immensely. She recently reunited with David, after too many years, and mom said that was one of the best days she ever had.

Sue attended Chererus School in Malden MA, where she grew up, graduating in 1966. She had met the love of her life, the late Jerald Paul Sarno, on January 26th 1962 at Hunts Drug Store in Malden; yes she and Jerry would remember this life changing date and would tell the story each year of this fateful meeting. They married April 6th, 1969 at Sacred Heart in Malden, and had two children; Christopher Sarno of Liverpool NY and Jennifer Sarno of Amesbury MA.

She and her family moved to Newburyport MA in 1973. As an independent woman, Sue ran her own successful business, Small Business Bookkeeping, working with many local business owners. Local politics is where Sue engaged the art of diplomacy and learned her love of a good debate. She was modernistic in her beliefs, and worked endlessly to elect the first female Mayor of Newburyport, something (and someone) she was very proud of. Being so active and well known in town, Sue was referred to as a “Force to be reckoned with”, stopping to chat with someone everywhere she went; even sitting with her beloved Jerry on a beach in Mexico, someone yelled “Sue Sarno!” from a few cabanas away. Sue and Jerry liked to travel to warm, sunny beaches with Palm trees. They always said it was not “Vacation until you see a Palm tree”.

Family was everything to Sue, she was “Grammy” to Evan, her first born, Maddie (Max) the middle, and with the birth of her third, Reese, our family was complete. Her grandchildren were her source of pride and joy. Grammy taught the grandkids how to make her family favorite “Sarno Sauce”, the tradition of family feasts will continue on for generations. Every chance Sue got she was there, supporting and celebrating, not only her children, but her grandchildren as well.

Sue could be very fun to be around. Her loving and giving nature embraced all who knew her. Often she was described as a “Hot ticket”. She added wit and humor to every conversation, her laughter was infectious. Sue will be missed by every heart she touched throughout her journey of life.

Sue left behind not just her children and grandchildren, but several friends who lived in her heart, and her Brother David whom she loved deeply. Her dearest friends are some whom she met in elementary school, or when she was a young mother, to those she worked with and worked for. She also leaves behind Nephews, a Niece, and several newly discovered cousins. Sue is reunited with her Jerry, her mom and dad, and several friends, all of whom were waiting for her with open arms. Fly high Mom, you are at peace.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 from 3 P.M. to 7 P.M. at the Highland Chapel of Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 2 Hillside Avenue, Amesbury.