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In memory of
Susanne Kay Riddle-Haslinger
November 23, 1945 - August 11, 2018
Nov 23, 1945 - Aug 11, 2018
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In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Alzheimer's Association.
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Susanne's obituary
Born in Granite City, Illinois, Susie studied theatre and dance in college, which led to a career in choreography for Edwardsville High School and SIUE musicals. She owned a dance studio and taught many young girls and boys the joy of modern and tap style dance.
She married the love of her life, Richard Skip Riddle, at the age of 20 and together they backpacked throughout Europe, raised German Shepard dogs, and raised a family together. They lived in Edwardsville, Illinois and Southern California. She had her first child, Joshua William Riddle, at age 30. While pregnant with her second child, Juliette Susanne Riddle, settled back in Edwardsville at 1307 St Louis Street, where she and Skip raised their family.
Susie had a fun loving spirit and was the life of every party. She greatly enjoyed entertaining and she would decorate her home in Edwardsville, each year turning it into a Halloween lover’s dream.
Not only did she share her life and passion with those around her, she loved and cared for animals of all sizes. Her children often joked that there must be a secret meeting of local strays sharing directions straight to Susie’s door. She took in any animal that needed love and care.
Susie’s compassion included caring for children in need of a safe haven. She couldn’t bear seeing any living being suffer and gave so much of herself to help to shape and mold many of her “adopted” children.
In 1986, Susie and Skip moved with their children to Dallas, Texas where they lived until 1991, when Skip passed away after 25 years of marriage.
Susie battled breast cancer as she fought her way back from grief. She was able to heal when she found love again with Francis Emerson Haslinger, a widower himself. They married on June 25, 1993 and moved to Santee, California. Together, Susie and Frank blended their grieving families and found healing for themselves and their children.
A creative and talented soul, Susie began writing for local newspapers and avidly wrote and shared her short stories and poetry in local writing groups. She continued to take in strays, animal and human alike, spreading her kindness to anyone in need. She was a second mother to many, and a mentor to all.
Frank and Susie bought several acres in Julian, California, and spent their retirement among their birds, deer, wild turkeys, fruit orchards, pine trees, and dogs, Rex (passed) Larry (passed) and finally Moxy.
Being a mother was her greatest joy and she passed on her generosity of spirit to her children. She was proud of her son, Joshua for the amazing father and husband he became and of her daughter, Juliette, a kind and free spirit like herself. In addition, she had four beloved grandchildren: Paige, Chloe, Isabel and Grayson.
Susanne passed peacefully in her sleep in her home, knowing she was loved and had made an impact on the world. It was the way she always said she wanted when it was her time. Those who mourn her remember her as kind, creative, loving, compassionate, talented, strong and supportive.
Susanne’s spirit lives on in her husband, Frank; her children, Joshua and Juliette; her daughter –in-law, Amanda; her stepson, Frankie; her grandchildren, Paige, Chloe, Isabel and Grayson; her great-grandchildren, Scarlett, and Karter; her brothers, John and Bill; her sisters-in-law, Faith and Marty; her nephews, Tom, Jack and Charlie; her many adopted children Amber, Kimberly, Jolie, Joe, Brian and Stacy; and in every soul she touched, near and far.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter or the Alzheimer’s Association in her name.
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Memories & condolences
Luzia and I met Suzy and Skip about 50 years ago in Greece en later in Edwardsville, and the memories are still kicking…
Luzia and I met Suzy and Skip about 50 years ago in Greece en later in Edwardsville, and the memori…
Luzia and I met Suzy and Skip about 50 years ago in Greece en la…
My memories to Suzy and Skip are only full of happiness and love. We met during their backpacking in Europe, and visite…
My memories to Suzy and Skip are only full of happiness and love. We met during their backpacking i…
My memories to Suzy and Skip are only full of happiness and love…
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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Alzheimer's Association.
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Created with love by
Amanda Riddle.
