(Additional remembrance and observations)

Many people pass through our lives. Few of them command the level of respect and admiration which she garnered from me. Knowing she is no longer there to reach out to is something I will adapt to. In the bigger-picture I know that her death is a loss to many people for similar reasons. 

Those of us that knew her all have different perspectives toward her. Yet it seems that each of in our own way rather marvel about the person she was.

I got to know Sue sometime in the mid 1970’s. Her sharp wit and humor won me over essentially immediately. Over the years we had many great chats on countless topics. It helped that we had a variety of similar and shared interests; these too bolstered our connection. 

She also helped me through some challenging events. Her insights and understanding proved more helpful than she probably knew. 

At some point she had a fiancé, then a daughter. In hindsight her fiancé proved to be less than ideal. Her daughter however was and is a gem of a person. Kat and parenting was often a topic we embraced. Sue was a great parent that embraced this role and the tasks associated with this role. 

Sue and I share a utilitarian streak in how we approach many things. I recall her talking about how she chose her motorcycle. Ultimately getting a Harley Davidson is what she chose. This motorcycle was far from well-engineered nor was it among the most civilized motorcycle on the market. However because parts for them can be found nearly everywhere. This choice meant that she could travel knowing that if she had a problem and needed parts she could be back on the road quickly. I recall sharing with her various solutions which I chose and implemented in discussions and the shared appreciation of the why which was behind the what I did was another thing we bonded over. Her systems analysis skills are among the things which I enjoyed about her; when she talked about what and why she approached something in the manner she did we appreciated each others ability to realize clever and elegant solutions. 

Sue and I share a love of music. In fact; about 25 or 30 years ago I ended up with one of her guitars. It was and is a lovely guitar. I can not think of this guitar without thinking of her. And being the caretaker of this guitar is for me synonymous with nurturing the friendship we shared. Now doing this is part of keeping the memory of the person she was alive. 
(Continued in another post)

Kat's college graduation, Sue in the center.

I met Sue when I was working in Japan with Kat. She was a smart, kind woman with a wicked sense of humour and it was a delight to chat and have a laugh with her.
I still use her cornbread recipe regularly (the sweet one that she and I favoured) and her variation when I host Americans who are missing home and want "proper" cornbread. 
Recently our communication was mostly through facebook as I live in the UK. I will miss terribly the amusing comments and knowing that if I post in the future indicating I've attended a black powder display I won't get an automatic like or comment from Sue.

Kat, from our family to yours, our most sincere condolences for your loss. May God keep you in peace and grant loving comfort during this difficult time. 

Sending  hugs from both of us!

Anyone who knew my mother knew she had a quirky sense of humor & was always willing the help others. My last memory was hugging her at the TSA security check before she flew back home from helping me drive a Uhaul & 2 dogs from Virginia to Texas. My first memory was of her letting me help move into an apartment when I was 2 & she told me I had a very important job of carrying my Candyland game up the stairs & inside, thus encouraging the same independent streak she herself had to get things done. I remember the calm arguments she had with public schools who thought a poor single parent household meant I was destined to be a receptionist and she argued to get me in all the STEM & language classes she knew I would thrive in. We rode across the country on a motorcycle in 1992, seeing as many National Parks & historic places as we could. My high school & college friends loved how supportive she was of their achievements regardless of not being their parent, giving some a much needed adopted mother bear of support. I could talk to her about anything, even if it wasn't something she agreed with, because at the end of the day she supported me being my own person. I got lucky when they handed out moms because she was the best kind even when I was least appreciative.

My deepest condolences. I discovered Sue while attending my first OVPR event years ago. We enjoyed many serious and light hearted conversations over the years since. We were blessed by her personality, her singing talents, her keen wit, and her compassion. I will miss her.

On a parish work day, cleaning and repairing St Nicholas Church’s building, the parish could always depend on kindly Sue.  She will be remembered for reliably e-mailing the liturgical proper texts for each Sunday, grateful from parishioners struggling with language skills. Memory Eternal!

OBITUARY

Suzanne Marie Mathieu

20 December, 1950 – 27 October, 2025

Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes & Crematory

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