Susan M.J. Martin

Susan M.J. Martin, 67, peacefully passed away Saturday, December 26 from cancer in the company of her husband and daughter.   Susan was a resident of Waterloo, IL where she lived with her husband, Mark Bemberg.  Susan was known by many names, Mom, Mawei, Sue, Susie.  Regardless of what she was called, her passion for life and her infectious laugh was the same to everyone.
 

She began her career at Clinton County Rehab center.   She then worked for over 20 years at Metro Employment and Rehabilitations Services (MERS) St. Louis helping people with physical and mental limitations be successful in the workplace.  In 2000, she began working as an organizational development consultant with the National Geospatial-Intellegence Agency, a division of the Department of Defense.  In 2015, she retired, and welcomed her next chapter.
 

She truly embraced life to its fullest.  Family was always her priority which she demonstrated through family vacations, week long Grandma camps, endless babysitting, and annual camping excursions.  She loved taking walks, practicing yoga, kayaking,and traveling to locations such as Italy, Australia, Paris, and the Czech Republic.  She was devoted to giving back to her community through her work with Saints Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children.  
 

She is survived by her husband Mark Bemberg, daughters Mariah (Joe) Cericola, Abigail (Thomas) Wiese, son Max (Emily Hudson) Bemberg, and her grandchildren, Henry Cericola, Nolan Wiese, Owen Cericola, Josselyn Wiese, Violet Cericola, Rosemary Hudson Bemberg, and Frederick Hudson  Bemberg.
 

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to: 
Siteman Cancer Center, MSC 1204-414-2300, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105 or online at siteman.wustl.edu/tribute
 

Memorial Visitation:
12 noon until time of service Saturday, March 27, 2021 at SS Peter & Paul Church
 

Funeral Mass:
1 PM Saturday, March 27, 2021 at SS Peter & Paul Church in Waterloo, IL
Father Linus Umoren C.M. officiating
Interment at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery in Waterloo, IL
 

All who have had their lives touched by Susan are welcome to join the family and celebrate her life at the Sewing Pavilion at Lakeview Park in Waterloo, Illinois, following the burial. 
 

The family appreciates that you respectfully wear a mask and social distance when appropriate.
 

A live video stream of the church services can be found at the Saints Peter and Paul's Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ssppccwaterloo