Susan Maria Giordano

Bedminster, NJ

Susan Maria Giordano, 72, of Bedminster, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at Morristown Medical Center. Born in Newark, NJ, Maria resided in Livingston, NJ before moving to Bedminster more than 30 years ago.

She is preceded in death by her beloved parents Yolanda and Alfonse.

Surviving are her two sisters, Patricia Faiella of New York City and Karen Faiella of Atlanta, Georgia, whom she loved with all her heart, unconditionally and selflessly. Maria also treasured her relationship with Nicolas and Jenna who called her Aunt Mia. They loved her so much and vice versa. They were a big part of her life as was Nancy, one of her closest friends.

Maria Giordano, LCSW, LMFT, ACSW was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Marriage and Family therapist with over thirty years of experience in a variety of mental health settings. She was known for her dedication, work ethic, and the positive impact she made in her field. She was very well respected and revered by all that knew her.

Maria was employed as Assistant Clinical Director at Inner Balance Psychology Center for the past 9.5 years where she offered her experience and expertise to the staff and her clients. Maria held a Certification with the Academy of Certified Social Workers and was inducted into the Alpha Delta Mu National Social Work Honor Society. Maria was a graduate of Seton Hall University and Rutgers, The State University.

Maria touched countless lives with her compassion, empathy, and unwavering support and she had a gift for making everyone feel valued and cherished. Her compassionate and warm personality always shone through with everyone she worked with. She had a unique talent for offering unconditional support while incorporating therapeutic skills to help her clients and coworkers. Maria's passing is a profound loss to all who knew her and she will be remembered for her enduring love, wisdom, and the countless ways she touched our lives.

Maria was an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University for the Sociology department for 27 years. Maria introduced generations of students to Sociology for decades and was an integral contributor to the Office of Academic Advising for Student-athletes for many years during her tenure at Seton Hall. She provided academic tutoring and mentoring to many student-athletes from all teams including women's soccer, men's and women's basketball, track, baseball and swimming. Students and advisors relied on Maria for her student centered approach, her compassion and her commitment to academic success.

Maria also was involved with Freshman Studies' Seton Summer Scholars program from 2006 to 2013 where again Maria positively impacted her students through her creative methods of teaching Sociology and Sports Psychology. It was Maria's own background in Social Work and Psychology that made her a perfect fit to work with those students who were coping with the difficult adjustments to college. With her patience and willingness to go above and beyond, Maria was able to create successful road maps for students who without her help may not have been able to find their way. There are hundreds of students and many many colleagues who owe her a great debt of gratitude.

Maria was very proud of her alma mater and dedicated herself to giving back to it. Her kindness, compassion and loyalty will be sorely missed. Maria's passing is a profound loss to all who know and love her.

A viewing will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023 from 4-8pm at the Branchburg Funeral Home 910 Rt. 202 South, Branchburg, NJ 08876.

A prayer service will begin at the funeral home on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 10:15am. Mass will take place at 11am at Holy Trinity Church in Bridgewater, NJ. Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ.

Memorial contributions may be made in Susan's memory to St. Jude children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/ or St. Hubert's Animal Shelter https://www.sthuberts.org/