Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
Susan Caserta was born in Manhattan on December 20, 1939 and was one of three children born to Bessie and Morris Boyarsky. She attended Jane Addams Vocational High School and Bronx Community College. In 1959, she married Eugene Caserta and the couple had three children, Barbara, Debbie and Joseph who attended PS 106 and J.H.S. 127 in the Bronx. Ms. Caserta spent the last twenty years of her life in service to these two schools and the surrounding community.
Ms. Caserta became involved with children while serving in leadership roles with both the Girl Scouts and the Boy Scouts. In addition, she became an active member of the Parents Association of PS 106 and served as its president. In this capacity she published and edited the Parents Press, a newsletter that helped to keep the lines of communication open among parents, teachers and children. She became a major contributor to the school art festivals and made the costumes for the May festivals. During her leisure time, she coached and managed the Parkchester Little League girls softball team and volunteered at the after-school center, caring for the children of working mothers.
Much of Susan's work with children was performed in the playground. For years both parents and children alike have addressed the park as Susan's park or Mrs. Caserta's park. They called it Susan's park because of the many activities that Susan introduced to the children of the park's community.
Susan Caserta died prematurely on May 22, 1994. At the time, she was survived by her husband and three children.
In view of her outstanding service to the community it is fitting that the existing playground located adjacent to PS 106 and bounded by St. Raymond Avenue, Purdy Street and Odell Street be named "Susan Caserta Playground".