Susan M Dolegiewicz

Susan M. Dolegiewicz, 73, of Millbury, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at UMass Memorial Medical Center - Memorial Campus, after a period of declining health.

She was born in Worcester on January 7, 1951, daughter of the late Louis P. and Irene L. (Dame) Dolegiewicz.

Susan leaves behind her sister and brothers, Diane K. (Dolegiewicz) Melanson of Grafton, John L. Dolegiewicz of Sutton, and Paul D. Dolegiewicz of Shrewsbury. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved and spoiled as if they were her own children: Alana Melanson and her husband Adam Casten of Chelmsford, Corey Melanson of Grafton, Elizabeth (Dolegiewicz) Mlynarski of Shrewsbury, Paul D. “PJ” Dolegiewicz Jr. of Uxbridge, and Robert Dolegiewicz and his wife Miranda of Oxford; several grandnephews and a grandniece; and many cousins. She was predeceased by her nephew, Jared K. Pechie, of Moosup, CT, in 2015, as well as her brother-in-law, Russ Melanson, of Grafton, on December 20, 2023.

She was a 1969 graduate of Sutton High School, where she was an honor student and involved in many activities and sports, including the Sutton Suzies basketball team. She was a tireless ball of energy, full of hope and promise, giving and selfless, traits that continued into her adult years. Susan attended UMass Amherst and spent several years in Western Mass., where she managed a number of restaurants, including Fitzwilly’s in Northampton. She later returned to Worcester, where she worked at The Plaza Club and Pickwick’s Restaurant before pouring her heart and soul into her own restaurant, Bergwall’s Cafe, which did a booming business, especially with the after-hours crowd.

Susan was also a master barber, and spent several years working at Hanscom Air Force Base and at barbershops around the region. She loved sewing, crocheting, playing games, doing jigsaw puzzles, gardening and photography. Her photos captured countless memories that her family will cherish forever. She also loved animals, and had many dogs and cats as pets over the years.

There was no season or weather Susan didn’t enjoy. She found beauty even in the grayest of rainy, dreary days, and was thrilled to get snow on her birthday this year in the form of a huge nor’easter. She loved celebrating holidays and making any occasion feel special for her loved ones, and her famous Christmas parties left her nieces and nephews with many great memories.

Susan will be laid to rest with her parents at Millbury Central Cemetery. A private ceremony will be held for close family only. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating blood to the American Red Cross.