Today was a very interesting day- I had (another) cortisone injection I. My neck. It's amazing how many things you and I still have in common- wow, do I miss you!! Tomorrow is Raegen's birthday because, like her momma, she needs her own space and day! 3 of your great- great nieces-nephews are now/ will be 7- Levi is next. Teresa took Daniel, Christian and Angela to Corona Del Mar today, and it wasn't even the original destination- thank you and Bob for giving them so many great memories when I wasn't around to do that- they ALL miss you so much!! I figured you would enjoy this- I'm not sure what else to say except I ache for you every day and love looking at pictures of your warm, loving smile!

Catherine

We had a special memorial for Susan at Tioga Pass last Friday, July 6, 2012.  Tioga was a favorite place of Bob and Susan's and she wanted her ashes to be spread there.  We went to Tioga Lake, where they often stayed. My sister, Catherine, and her husband Rick were there along with Susan's siblings Ralph and Lois, her friends Hank and Joan, George and I, my son and daughter-in-law Brandon and Michelle, and Catherine's daughter and son-in-law and children: Cyndi, Marco, Elizabeth, Sarah, and Levi.  We all shared special memories of Bob and Susan - memories of holidays, laughter, and special times.  Then all who wanted to took a handful of Bob and Susan's ashes, mixed together, and spread them on the hillside overlooking Tioga Lake. It was wonderful to hear the memories and know that Bob and Susan live on in our hearts because of all the ways they touched our lives.

Picture to follow

Sue came into my life over 30 years ago. Sue and Bob met in August of 1977 and I met Sue the following spring in Dallas.  It wasn't much longer and they were married which made Sue my stepmother.  Sue never tried to step into a motherly role with me as I was 26, married and the father of a son.  However Sue was always supportive and a good confidant to my wife and I.  I was thankful she came into Bob's life because she became his true life partner and one of the things they both found great joy in was being Grandparents. Sue embraced Shaun and truely enjoyed sharing time with him and Bob on Shaun's annual visits to California.  She constantly planned activies on his visits, loved taking pictures and loved just having one on one time with Shaun when Bob gave her a chance.

 I will always be thankful to Sue for giving her love to my Dad, my son and to Mary and I.  She will be missed and fondly remembered.

Mark

Hmm.  Susan was very organized as everyone knows.  She had a lot of files!  She had two that were inches thick with newspaper clippings describing books she wanted to read.  Some of them were cut out years ago.   She had another file titled GIFT IDEAS which had clippings of presents she thought she could share with others, or ideas she could use to make something for others. 

I couldn't touch her purse for more than a week, but finally cleaned it out and it as her purses and many of her clothes were donated to Working Wardrobes for women needing clothing for employment.  I found one of her many little notebooks, one note reminding herself to write her own obituary.  How touching, how sweet.  I only feel joy at having known her better as we grew older.

     When we were younger, sisters, I was a tomboy and I remember Susan had 17 pairs of shoes designed to match her clothes (this was high school)...we didn't discover how much we had in common until we were middle-aged. 

We were very blessed to have Great Aunt Susan at our wedding. I was so thankful for her help with wedding planning. She addressed all of our wedding invitations and gave me lots of encouragement when we talked on the phone.

A few years ago I went to see Susan and Bob at their first beach house. Susan was delighted to just sit down and talk with me as if I was an adult. That is something I will always value about her. She always treated people like they should be treated and not by how old they were. While I was visiting her she taught me how to make chocolate. We put the chocolate in seashell molds.

Recently my family and I went to go visit Susan at the beach. As we talked she told me about her perseverance. I told her that every time I was facing something difficult I could see her smile telling me to keep going. I know Susan is in a good place and that she is with Bob enjoying her everlasting pain free life.

-Tori Viereck Lopez 

(Parker Viereck & Tori Lopez with Susan)

There are so many stories I could write about, but I'll start with one of the most recent.  I was blessed to be able to visit my Aunt Susan for 3 1/2 weeks shortly before she passed away. Susan was more than an aunt to me; she was a second mother, a mentor, and a best friend. Getting a pedicure together had become somewhat of a tradition during times when she had come out to Atlanta, so we were both looking forward to doing the same in California. After getting our pedicures (with matching-colored polish), we went across the street so she could take me to her favorite creperie in Seal Beach. The picture taken here turned out to be my favorite picture of us taken during my whole visit. (For those who know Mike and Harlene, we ran into them and you can see them in the reflection of the windows - Mike is taking our picture.) I will always treasure the time I was able to spend with Susan during this trip.  Now her body is gone, but I feel like her spirit remains and I am inspired to live a life full of joy and friends, good times and good food, and encouragement to others, in spite of whatever difficulties may come my way. 

Although you're not my mother

you mean as much to me

as though you were,

as though you are, and as though you'll always be.

For mothering is so much more than simply giving life.

It's loving understanding in times of pain and strife.

A love that is freely givien and many sacrifices made

have made a debt that all my life shall never be repaid.

I know what good there is in me has come from knowing you.

And so, when counting mothers, I find that I have two.

This was an engraving given to Susan that represents the feelings of many. Susan had many "children" and "grandchildren" and even "great-grandchildren". Among them are Mark, Shaun, Melody, Catherine, Cyndi, Vicky, Teresa, Michael, Brandon, Renee, Elizabeth, Sarah, Levi, Raegan, Josue, Daniel, Christian, Lillian, Shanna, and Lorna.