Clergy
The Reverend Susan Astarita, Pastoral Associate
Mother Susan is a regular worshipper at the 5 o’clock service seated in the north transcept and is always proud, and grateful to tell everyone who asks that St. Peter’s, Del Mar sponsored her for ordination in 1992! Mother Susan is a graduate of the Claremont School of Theology and the Yale/Berkeley Divinity School where she received a master of sacred theology specializing in pastoral theology and social ethics. She retired from the Diocese of Washington, DC in 2006 and returned to Del Mar. In Washington, she served at Christ Church, Rockville; Ascension, Silver Spring; and St. George’s, Glenndale. She was also vicar/chaplain, University of Maryland, College Park; and Clergy Chaplain on rotation at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, known as Washington National Cathedral.
In 2011 Mother Susan and Mark Patzman founded Friends of Military Outreach and Support (FOMOS) at St. Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego. She has also served several churches in our diocese as supply and/or interim rector. A former journalist and communications professional, she headed Astarita Communications Advertising/Public Relations in Rancho Palos Verdes from 1975 - 1988 specializing in municipalities, real estate development and education. Mother Susan has one daughter, Alice, a proud former member of the St. Peter’s children’s choir, and is busy in her spare time with her lively grand dog, Eddie. Her late husband, Bruce, who was active in the space program, taught her to love the moon, the stars, and the New York Yankees!
