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pumpkin66
Memories of our dear friend Susanne. I have so many. As well as giving me her love, she was very practical as well. I was moving into a new flat and it had very big windows which overlooked the path, so that everyone coming in only had to look up and they would see me. I searched everywhere for curtains that would fit, but to no avail. Susanne only went and lent me her best curtains , that she had made herself and were her favourites. She said I could borrow them for as long as I needed. (3 yrs). Susanne was there for me in sad times and happy times. When our dear friend Marion died, I suffered very badly with depression and did not want to leave the house, Susanne phoned me every couple of days for weeks and would spend ages just talking to me and listening with such patience , that I am sitting here crying now at the memory of it. However one of the phone calls had us in fits of laughter. I had put some potatoes in the oven to bake, unfortunately I forgot to pierce them and as I was on the phone to Susanne, they all blew up in the oven. The noise was so loud she could hear it on the other end of the phone. She said "Linda what on earth is happening". I just carried on talking and said "oh don't worry that was just my oven blowing up" We laughed hysterically. When I got engaged to Brian, I was straight on the phone to Susanne to share the news with her. She was always there for me, no matter what was happening in her life. I will never forget Susanne, as on my fridge there is a fridge magnet, which she gave to me, a wooden heart, which she painted and has a scripture on it which says " A friend loveth at all times" Through the years I have often looked at it and it has immediately brought my lovely friend to my mind. She also one Christmas made me a Silver star mounted on a stick and gave it to me. I was feeling very low at the time, and she said to me, look at the star and remember the Saviour , and that he loves you. I kept that star for years until it broke, but it did not matter because in my minds eye I can still see that star and what it signifies to me. I will be eternally grateful for my friendship with Susanne and that she touched my life. I was given a poem when I was on my mission entitled " I am glad I touched shoulders with you" and that is how I feel.
So sorry we cannot be Susanne's funeral, I would be there in a heartbeat, but we are travelling to Cornwall that day, but we will be thinking of you all, and sending prayers and love your way.
Linda & Brian Suter-Comins
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nattroke
10 ¶Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothingis silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a womanthat feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
My memories of Mum are brief but precious to me. Summer days spent picking elder flowers, late, late nights talking together, listening and being listened to. Making homemade Ferrero Rochers because she knows they are my favourite, sharing a full bottle of Cherry Pepsi Max because we are both shamefully addicted to the stuff. Listening to careful feet coming down my stairs on a morning while singing morning has broken for all of Yorkshire to hear. Chocolate buttons becoming more than chocolate buttons and travelling down the M18 excited to hear ‘my sweet girl’ and being given long squeezy hugs. Spencer and Joseph became her immediate handsome boys and told so at every possible opportunity. When Dan and I first met, Mum was in the States visiting Marie, I was so excited to meet the mother of my sweetheart, and at that meeting it was mutually agreed that mum and I had known each other long before we met. Mum, my cup runneth over! x
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britwit123
I am so grateful for her example of mothering. I was rereading some journal entries from when she was our Institute teacher, and how she once changed the entire lesson to focus on being a good mother because I was having doubts. She simply mothered everyone, which was so much appreciated when I was far from home and family. Netley Marsh was my home too in many ways, the place where I felt more warmth than anywhere else at that time in my life. I will always be thankful for those late night talks and counsel as I worked my way through challenges and doubts. She was only 6 years older than me, but so much wiser in every way. So kind and warm, and hugs that enveloped you.
When I last saw Susanne, and we talked about her cancer and what was to happen next, it was hard to accept, and yet I knew in my heart that whatever happened was the right thing. That's why I can't complain at her passing, much as I would like her to stay. She knew where she was going, and had absolute faith in Jesus Christ. I hope she gets to talk to my sister, and guide her along the path that she guided me.
I love you Susanne, with all the choccy buttons I can hold in my hands and heart.
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dantroke
I'm so sorry I seem to have difficulty registering on the Beautiful Tribute website ... Hope you don't mind me posting here. Please feel free to delete it if it's inappropriate. Love you all so much heart emoticon xxx
To love unconditionally and without judgement, to be available without intruding, to see the soul foremost and the body second. It's as natural as breathing ..... for those who truly know, the only form of love is unconditional and everlasting.
I remember (along with so many shared and forgotten memories) the first time I ever met you, my dearest and closest friend. I was 14 and you looked so glamorous with your hair cut short and flicked out all around you. I was so happy to baby-squash for you and John and I quickly fell in love with David and Daniel ( sorry guys but you were sooo cute )!
I remember with fondness, often being invited back after church and these are such magical memories for me. The love shared between your Mum and Dad was/is something to behold
Our friendship developed over the years, as I grew older and the gap between our ages all but disappeared. The most special moments for me were when we would sit up all night talking, laughing, crying, hugging and strengthening the bonds which will forever unite us. Talking through our worries, thoughts and feelings, reading the scriptures and applying our wisdom and unconditional love to church doctrine. Deciding the Spirit of the Law is far more important than the letter of it. And with the breaking of the day, as the dawn chorus awoke us from our reverie, we would sensibly (!) snatch an hour or two before the new day day began.
WERE WE MAD!!!!!!
( I would give up almost anything to spend one more session with you beloved friend )
We were young, idealistic and full of optimism and hope for the future. And what a future it turned out to be, with Marie, AJ and Hanny joining us here, your Loving Mothers cup overflowed with joy and I was blessed to share my love with these beautiful spirits.
Beloved Friend, I remember you teaching me to crochet ~ I've long since forgotten of course, but it was the company and the laughter that made it such fun .. as were a lot of things. Gooey cheese sandwiches and cheesy pasta, picnics, the magic of watching the children's faces light up and the sound of their laughter.( And, with the arrival of the beautiful Grandchildren you got all that again, All the fun with a lot less of the hard work )! I remember John falling into the pond at the canoe lake and you teasing him about it for evermore by reading the children a certain poem!!! ( Daddy fell into the Pond ~ Ladybird ) .
There are far too many memories to share here ... Island memories, Cadnam memories, Netley Marsh memories, Hythe Branch memories, Totton memories, Bishops Waltham memories ... My Wedding Day where you all helped and I felt so loved, blessed and cherished. And then for a long while we made separate memories as I embarked on my adventure with Tony and eventually became a mother myself with Julie-Ann blessing my life and giving me the greatest gift of all ~ motherhood.
Thank-You for being an intrinsic part of me. There has never been a day when I did not think of you all and wonder ,,,
Then in November 2008 you found me again on FB and it was as though the years fell away and we had never been separated. By this time your health was in severe decline and your time even more precious as beautiful little souls appeared all around you and you revelled in your role as a Grand Mother as well as a Mum. Through it all John stood by your side, supporting you, loving you and taking care of you as you did for him. Such a beautiful family and such a strong soul.
A snippit from one of the last times we spoke to each other, so that the children and John will understand ...
'Do you know, I never once considered the possibility of the chemo not working, not once. As far as I was concerned you were going to beat this rotten cancer hands down, horrid though the treatment would be. Well, that is still a possibility, although the fight will be harder and your beautiful Spirit, already battered and bruised through pain and tiredness may not feel like putting up a fight in the way it did at the start ... and that's OK. It's OK to rest, it's OK to accept what you are and are not willing to undergo. It's OK to feel afraid for the future, for John and for the Children and, even though you are not afraid of transition, it is OK to feel afraid of what is as yet un-experienced, as most of us do when giving birth for the very first time. The joy and the fear and the wonder contained in a moment.
You know that I am here for you. Being here for you is the easy part, it is the knowing that I must step back, that I must not, dare not, get too close ~ for fear of taking this sacred time away even for a second from those you have brought into the world and from the Gentle Man you will have beside you no matter what. Do not be afraid for them, they have all the Love, Wisdom and Strength that they need. They have been taught by the best, by you my Beautiful Friend and they have all the skills they need to survive this lifetime because of that. ' ( 31/ 07/ 2013 )
You have part of my soul with you, wherever you are and whatever you are doing. My love for you, my beautiful Soul-Sister cannot be diminished or broken. I hope to see you just before John re-unites with you and I withdraw, so I can sneak in and we can run up and down those celestial corridors as we did before. Love you now and forever. All of you.
xxx
Mary-Anne Williams (Posted on her behalf)
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britwit123
Trokes and Trokelets.
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britwit123
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britwit123
I always had to catch her by surprise! Beautiful woman!
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britwit123
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jberentzen
Even though we were oceans apart, Susanne always made me feel so special. She has been apart of my family and life since I was about 10-yrs-old. Our time together was limited because of the oceans, but every time I was with her she always called me her "little dear," and had a warm smile and a hug for me. She would share stories about England and the things she held dear. I don't know if she loved it as much as I did, but I loved hearing them. I loved hearing her weave the stories for me. I am so grateful for the love she had for me and for life. I am so blessed to be her "American Little Dear" and send my hugs, kisses, and loves across the ocean to her, and her family. xoxo
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jmaizey
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trokopops
My eyes are wet my heart is full, Thank you for always listening to me. I love you
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dantroke
My thoughts of Susanne always bring back fond memories of my childhood growing up with Marie and Suzie in woodlands road. The "stay and play" dates at the police house through to performing " I saw a mouse" for a church show and being hugged when we came off by Susanne. I will never forget Marie's birthday to the theatre. We were treated to seats in a box. My first and only time. We were made to feel so special. I always envied Marie at the start of a new school year as Susanne would always write "Marie-Elizabeth" on her books and add a special flower. Susanne always went that extra mile to make people feel special and loved. I looked back on these memories and smile at the legacy she has left behind and am blessed to have known her through my childhood. And finally a small tradition she has instilled in me, without me realising it was down to her, until today, is that whenever I go to the theatre, I always take a box of maltesers with me. Looking back it was that trip to the theatre all those years ago when she produced a box of maltesers as a treat that to this day makes my trips to the theatre seem extra special. Thank you Susanne for my childhood memories. I am eternally grateful.
Katie Barrett (Posted on her behalf)
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dantroke
For us, we came to know Susanna through her son Dan and her other children. Her children were her life’s work and in Dan we saw an absolute reflection of his mother. In him we have always seen her teaching and influence of Love, Courage and faith in God and Jesus Christ, her empathy, compassion and consideration for others, her willingness to be there for others with soft and kind words and actions, her children and there partners, her friends and all who new her when they spoke of her said how they were held up and rebuilt when broken and comforted with her loving actions. Truly a mother in Israel and a true daughter of her Heavenly father in who’s arms she is now embraced.
Our love and prayers are with you all at this challenging time
Love Bob and Janet Lambert
(Posted on their behalf)
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dantroke
She sure did Sherry... gonna miss them like mad. Even on Monday she gave a wonderful Hug, albeit a little less energetic and more gentle.
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dantroke
Susanne was a beautiful lady whose smile lit up the room. I remember as teenagers and young marrieds we would meet in a hall in London Road, Portsmouth. I have a photograph of Susanne and John holding a carry cot with the head of their fist born son, David, poking out over the top.
I also remember the dinner appointments we used to have with each other.
Susanne served as my Councillor on Stake Primary and she was always an inspiration.
She had such a calm and gentle manner that I would love to be able to develop.
Although I have not seen her for quite some time I shall miss her and the world will be a sadder place without her.
Lots of love
Angie & Phil Herridge
Xxx
(Posted on their Behalf)
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jmaizey
Susanne, though we had not seen or heard from each other since you and John were on the Isle of Wight, I remember our time together fondly.
I await the time when I will see that wonderful smile again.
John, you were/are a lucky man.
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britwit123
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dantroke
My abiding memory of Susanne is her singing to us just before she started each of her lessons as our Gospel Doctrine teacher. Such a beautiful voice. Such a beautiful, serene woman.
Margaret Anne Curgenven (posted on her behalf)
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britwit123
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careyharris
Susanne was one of the first persons to befriend me when I moved into Winchester. I have never forgotten the warm and generous person she is and really wish you all the warmth and love of the Spirit, which Susanne always emulated. Love to you all
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britwit123
She gave wonderful hugs!
