March 21, 2022

Sujan “Cakes” Santanelli, 68, of West Haven, died on March 21, 2022. Born in New Haven on May 11, 1953, the daughter of the late Arnold Wager and Christine Cuzzocreo nee D’Cunto. Sujan is survived by her loving children, Barbara (Chris) Anastasio, Melissa (Anthony Sablone) Santanelli, Misty ( Joe Geremia) Santanelli, and Shane (Diane Burzynski) Baber; beloved grandchildren, Christopher and Pica Anastasio, Jocelyn and Willy Richter, Karissa and Dante Talamelli, Brooklyn and Paisley Flannery, Kamryn Harkin, and Giovanni Baber, of whom she took great pleasure in raising; nine great-grandchildren; sisters Patty (Doug) Wrightington and Toni (Thaini) Sae-Eung; as well as brothers Abdul (Patty) Azumar and Ralph (Sally) Wager. She is additionally predeceased by her husband Frank Santanelli; life partner Joe Palermo; and beautiful great-granddaughter Valentina.

Cakes dedicated over twenty-five years of her career to Peschell’s Pastry Shop of West Haven, well known for welcoming patrons with her warm disposition. One could always catch her laughing, drinking tea, and enjoying her favored pastime of solving crossword puzzles, as well as games of solitaire and setback. Cakes was a vibrant individual, selflessly and lovingly devoted to her family and those she cared for. Cherished by so many, she will remain forever missed and most remembered as an amazing woman, a life more than well lived, a beautiful soul who touched every life she encountered.

Arrangements have been entrusted to West Haven Funeral Home at the Green. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 25th, at 11 o’clock, in Our Lady of Victory Church (formerly St. John Vianney), 300 Capt. Thomas Blvd, West Haven. Friends are asked to meet directly at church. Interment will be private. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.westhavenfuneral.com