Susan Louise Frascella

It was a sad December as we marked the passing of Susan Louise Frascella, a woman of great beauty, deep compassion, and strong convictions. She died as she lived, with grace and elegance and in the company of her family.

Outspoken and unafraid to challenge the status quo, her directness and occasional controversy only amplified her authenticity. Through her curiosity, dedication to service, and capacity for love, she earned the admiration and friendship of countless individuals.

Above all, Susan was devoted to her four daughters, whom she proudly considered her greatest achievements. She embraced the challenge of raising them as a single mother while forging a remarkable career in the nonprofit world. Her daughters were her deepest source of inspiration, and in her later years, her grandchildren gave her strength and joy as her health declined.

Roots

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Susan was a California native and a long- time resident of Santa Barbara. She grew up a devout Catholic, and at the parish school her love of learning and early activism took root. As a young girl, Susan was friends with the only black girl in her class and was confused and outraged by the racism she witnessed her friend suffer. She forever remained a champion of equality and a spirited advocate for others.

Susan embodied the resilience and ingenuity of many women in her generation, reinventing herself and developing a career from the ground up while nurturing her family.

Susan’s grandchildren who referred to her as “Nonnie” were, were in her words, “the reason to keep going,” and she cherished her time with them. She was present for three of their births, and though she wasn’t the typical babysitting, cookie-baking grandma, her time with them was filled with unforgettable experiences—both joyful and heartwarming, as well as challenging and unpredictable.

Passion and Career

Susan exuded a cosmopolitan aura that belied her late start in traveling. This impression was no doubt rooted in her lifelong love of the arts. Susan had a passion for theater, opera, and outsider art. Her career in the nonprofit sector began as an administrative director for organizations such as Ensemble Theatre, the Lobero Theatre, and Process Theater. Her advocacy extended beyond her professional life, as she served on the Arts Commission, the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance & board of directors, and numerous other cultural organizations and initiatives.

She founded a youth performing arts program, (to ensure her daughters had an outlet for their creativity- beyond the Saturday morning ritual of blasting show tunes on the record player while cleaning the house!) which brought together a community of artists-teachers who became lifelong friends. Her home was a celebration of local artistry, adorned with vibrant works from Santa Barbara’s visual artists and Summer Solstice Parade posters. She participated in one of the early Summer Solstice parades – carrying a giant puppet up State Street to the Sunken Gardens. Susan loved poetry, playwriting, and the magic of the written word, writing some her own prose and using her writing skills to the advantage of the many programs for which she wrote grants and launched persuasive fundraising campaigns.

Susan’s dedication to social justice was most evident in her work with nonprofits. During her decade-long tenure as executive director at Shelter Services for Women (now Domestic Violence Solutions), she was a fierce advocate for women and children impacted by domestic violence. Under her leadership, the agency expanded its reach significantly by establishing a presence in all areas of Santa Barbara County. She raised funds to open a second-stage living facility to help women transition to independence. She supported the implementation of one of the nation’s first domestic violence response teams, to respond with law enforcement to domestic violence 911 calls. Susan’s leadership extended beyond providing services; she mentored staff, collaborated with the community, and championed gender equality.

In the latter part of her career, Susan established a consultancy focused on program training for government and community-based organizations, centered on critical issues such as diversity, domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment, later expanding to encompass elder care and aging-related concerns. Her impressive roster of clients included the California Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning, the California State Department of Health, Friendship Adult Day Center, and Girls Inc. Renowned for her fierce advocacy, bold vision, and compassionate spirit, Susan was a powerful voice for all, with a particular dedication to championing women and families.

Wit and Wisdom

Susan will be remembered for her humor, candor, and remarkable ability to connect with people meeting them exactly as they were, wherever they were in life. In her final years, Susan became a cherished member of the Vista del Monte community, immersing herself in programs such as the Caring Companion service team, a Women’s Circle, a grief group, and a weekly play-reading group. Wherever she went, and in some ways unbeknownst to herself, Susan became an admired pillar of her community, affecting and contributing to the well-being of those around her.

Grace

Susan passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 12, 2024, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, while listening to her favorite piece of music, The Swan, performed by Yo-Yo Ma.

She is survived by her daughters Kristin Frascella and Nina Lafuente; her brothers James Delmore and Stanley Delmore; her son-in-law Giovanni Vigna; and her beloved grandchildren Arielle Lafuente, Diego Frascella, Luca Vigna, and Leonardo Vigna. She was preceded in death by her daughters Sarah Frascella and Maria Frascella, her brother Stephen Delmore, and her sister Nanci Delmore.

A memorial to celebrate Susan’s life will be held on Saturday, February 1, at 2:00 pm at Vista del Monte. In place of flowers, donations can be made to Emily’s List.