I’m surprised Susan and I ever became friends, but THANKFULLY we did almost 30 years ago when I was transferred to Arizona for what was supposed to be a 2 week work training. It ended up being 6 months.
She always dressed to impress. Dressing for comfort is more my style. Our personalities are also quite opposite as well in that she was the life of the party, could talk intelligently about anything to anyone, and she enjoyed being on the go most of the time.
She trained me to audit a new accounts payable auditing client. During training she helped make me a good auditor and showed me the ropes that allowed me to have my own accounts payable auditing clients several years later in a start-up company a friend created that we now co-own.
Susan and I crossed paths a couple of more times in our AP Auditing careers where she was still my boss. Ironically, after having my own clients while co-owning a business, she was able to come work for us, even though she had the superior experience and skills.
In between all the work adventures that spanned over 2 decades and 3 States, we stayed friends and had many more great experiences together including dinners at Rain Forest Café (a vibrant restaurant that matches her), her living with RaNae and I for quite awhile while she worked in Salt Lake City, Utah; travel to Connecticut and New York where we saw Cats, Phantom and other shows, as well as almost getting crushed in our car in Manhattan while at a stop light behind a tour bus and without warning the bus decided to back up on a whim – luckily no-one was behind me so I was able to put it in reverse fast enough to avoid being hit in our small compact car – she brought that experience up many times through the years and actually let me drive her around when we were together which was uncommon because she did not like other people’s driving; we had many visits; she loved Senior Tuesday at Value Village as well as Saver’s in Utah (similar to Value Village) - she loved and bought the deals, got some nice things, whether she needed them or not and even if storage space in their house got smaller and smaller; it seemed it was always green chile season so she was always making green chile salsa even though she knew it wasn’t the best thing to eat for her arthritis; we had many phone calls with boisterous laughter and many discussions about life and dogs.
When Bob came into her life, she was a new person. Through thick and thin she loved him and appreciated him even though she didn’t express it at times. She also got two wonderful bonus daughters in the deal, which thrilled her to no end! She loved Bob, Becca and Caitlin tremendously.
Even though brothers can be brothers in their teasing and antics, they were her champions and lifelines throughout her life. She knew it and she loved them for it. She spoke of them often with happiness and pride. She beamed while she did, and her voice became sunny every time.
When her family, and the world lost Mike, she was heartbroken. When Greg was diagnosed with cancer, she became extremely worried on one hand, but on the other hand knew Greg had the strength, courage and tenacity to beat it.
Her nephews and nieces were also her pride. Along with her family, her friends brought her joy who she valued completely.
I don’t want to offend anyone who do not have a belief in God. I apologize if I do. I believe in Jesus Christ and in this time of grief I find happiness in knowing she has had a joyful reunion with her Mom, Dad, Mike, other family members and friends. She is enjoying catching up with them and their company right now. It’s us left behind who bear the greater grief.
She is loved and missed - will always be loved and missed!
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