Marie Agnes LaSusa

Marie LaSusa, born September 11, 1922, died on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at the age of 89. Marie was the daughter of Italian immigrant parents, Philip and Mary DeCarlo LaSusa. The LaSusa family was blessed with many children and in August 1938 the LaSusas were named the largest family in Birmingham in a contest sponsored by the Alabama Theater. At that time, all 15 of the LaSusas lived in the same residence above the family grocery store in Avondale.

Marie attended Woodlawn High School and was one of several LaSusa musicians who played in the Avondale Mills marching band. Like all of the children, she worked in the family grocery store. She was employed for several years as a dental assistant in the office of Dr. Leon V. Farnum. For more than 15 years she co-managed her brother-in-law’s record shop, Joe Rumore’s Record Rack, at its downtown location and the location in Homewood, when it was the number one record store in Birmingham.

Besides her parents, Marie was preceded in death by four brothers: John, Marion, Philip, Jr., and Paul LaSusa, and six sisters: Sarah LaSusa Head, Theresa LaSusa Rumore, Anne LaSusa Madonia, Josephine LaSusa Caruso, Angie LaSusa Rumore, and Catherine (Kitty) LaSusa. Marie is survived by two sisters: Lillian LaSusa and Cecelia LaSusa Brocato. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews who will miss playing cards and Scrabble with her.

The family wishes to thank Joy Brown and Hattie Maye for all their love and care for Marie during her final years. In lieu of flowers memorials in remembrance of Marie can be sent to the Our Lady of Sorrows School Foundation, 1728 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35209. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, November 3 at noon at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. A funeral Mass will follow at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery.

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.