Susie Charnik

Susie Marie Charnik, 96, passed away peacefully at Sea Aire Assisted Living in Yachats, Oregon on December 15,2024. She had recently moved to Oregon to be closer to her daughter, son-in law, and great granddaughter.

Born on April 08, 1928, Easter Sunday, in Camden, NJ. Susie shared her birth date with the Italian Saint’s holiday, Lady of Asunta. She was named after the saint at birth. When she started school, her name was changed to Susie, as it was considered more American. Both her parents, Liveno “Luigi” De Vincentis and Elisa “Elizabeth” Toro, were from Italy and immigrated to America through Ellis Island.

Susie married Anthony Sundukos in 1945. She meant Anthony through her sister Ann Sendakus. She was dating his brother, Martin. Both sister’s married the brothers. She was very close to her sister.

During her full life, she held various machining jobs from making facets for Harvey Aluminum to making golf clubs for professional golfers, lawnmowers for Toro and working in restaurants. She was a very hard working woman. On Valentine’s Day in 1970, she married her second husband Michael Charnik. They both loved cooking and opened Cozy Corner Cafe in Baywood Park, on the bay in 1980. The location moved to Los Osos Valley Road in what is now Celia’s Garden Cafe.

Susie is survived by her daughters Patricia Smichnick and Mary Gunderlock (Leith Hayes), grandchildren John Gunderlock and Daniel Sundukos (Valerie), great grandchildren Michael Sundukos and Miley Gunderlock.

Preceded in death by her first husband, Anthony Sundukos, second husband Michael Charnik, sons Anthony “Tony” Sundukos and Louis Sundukos, grandson Nathan Gunderlock, son-in law James Smichnick, her parents Liveno and Elisa, and sibling Ann Sendakus.

The family is grateful for everyone at Sea Aire Assisted Living, Evergreen Hospice, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their compassionate care and blessings.

Funeral Services will take place at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park, 2260 Los Osos Valley Rd, Los Osos on December 28, 2024 at 11:00. Everyone is invited to attend a memorial at the Church of Latter-day Saints in Morro Bay at 9:00am before the service at Los Osos Valley Memorial Park.