I first met Sue through an ad that I saw in the local newspaper (Santa Clarita) looking for a babysitter.  She was a Christian school teacher and had an almost two years old daughter.  That was the start of a 40 years friendship.

Sue and I became special friends, mostly keeping in touch through email regularly and phone chats.  She had a wonderful caring heart, always concerned about my family, what I was up to, and what I was thinking.  As time went on and she and Dave moved to Westlake, Sue asked us to house/dog sit while they went on their vacations.  We live in Arroyo Grande so this was our vacation, too, seeing my family (Simi Valley) and sightseeing while caring for their house/animals.  Sue always left us goodies, gift cards and her beautiful home to use while they were gone.

I Corinthians 13:4  "Love is patient, love is kind."

What kind of friend was Sue? - THE BEST!

Wouldn't we all love to be remembered for our kindness to strangers?   I was a stranger to Susan, the foster mother of her Brittany Spaniel Star.   I drove to Susan's home to make a "home visit", our step to make sure the foster pup is going to a great home.  Walking through the house to the back yard, the first thing Star did was to jump into their swimming pool.  I was horrified, and Susan was completely unscathed.  After adopting Star, Susan continued to keep me appraised of her well-being, her "field trips" with Dave, their trips to Hawaii and Mammoth.   He sent cute little dog meme's and we exchanged e-mails about our love of dogs.  

I was that stranger, and Susan's love and ability to create "family" and relationship shone through.  I would only hope that when I pass, I will have left people with fond memories of how I treated a "stranger".   

Funeral Service

Committal Service

Geraldine Moen

Lloyd Moen

David Harkins

Michael Harkins

Jennifer Green Harkins

Megan Harkins

Amy Harkins

Kieran Harkins

Kathryn Ruhl

Matthew Ruhl

Zachary Ruhl

Kayley Ruhl

Carol Groh

Jennifer Williams Ellis

Jeffrey Groh

Lisa Groh

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, Mortuary & Crematory

Susan Harkins

immediate need

Death has occurred or is near

plan ahead

Pre-plan a funeral or cremation

Plan a Funeral or Cremation Default Desktop

Find Obituaries and Services

Send Flowers

featured article

What to Say When Someone Dies

Show Your Support

sympathy and etiquette

grief library

celebrations of life

Sympathy and Grief

obituary

services

memories

Obit Detail

In the care of

share to facebook

share by email

share link

Share Obituary

ideas and resources

Sympathy and Grief Mobile

OBITUARY

Susan Gayle Harkins

21 October, 1947 – 2 May, 2018

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, Mortuary & Crematory

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services