Saturday, September 2, 2023
Dear Susie,
My heart is so broken that you are not here with us anymore. I can't imagine a life without you in it. It's true, I didn't see you that often as an adult (as I was the NJ cousin), but u were always a close part of our immediate family, never considered "extended family".
Being one of the older cousins, I was nearby for your birth, your christening, and when in Pittsfield, your babysitter. There was always so much excitement when we were with the Belfords! Remember Ricky locking himself in the bedroom, and Uncle James, along with the rest of the Fire Dept came to rescue him. How about the time Teresa cut her tongue with her teeth after a fall. Bleeding, bleeding, your dad was frantic! So were our mom's when they got home! The games we played for pennies. Your mom teaching us poker, and blackjack, Uno and the ultimate scrabble game.Those were the good times! I remember your mom mad because I made cat as a word! How I learned to hate that game!
Remember the tour you and Norm gave us of the Erie Canal? I was so amazed that it really crossed a land mass! How about Ca-na-da? The week long car trip with my mom, looking for "la Salle de bain" instead of "le (la?) Toilet"? Then, on the last night of said trip, the chair incident?
Your witty, politely sarcastic humor always saved the day. I am going to miss you and Gina bantering back and forth with that humor. You always made me giggle! You were kind and caring, there for my mom, who loved u so. You were there for us. Do you know now how much we appreciated you?
Norm, Steve, Laura, Amanda, how great your pain must be. Perhaps you can find solace in the fact she is pain free. Perhaps she found Aunt Fran and Uncle Dick waiting for her, with Aunt Jackie not far behind. She is at peace. I believe that. I also believe she doesn't want us to be sad. Sue had too much life snd strength in her to want anything but happiness for all of us.
The road will be hard and long. The memories are as wonderful as the life she led and the amusement she shared. May you find peace knowing she was so close to you, loving you all, always.
Wih sincere sympathy,
Marie.
