Susan Dugan Fristoe

Susan Dugan Fristoe went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 5, 2019. If there is one word that could best describe "Suzi," it would be "vibrant." Not just for the colorful attire she was notorious for, but for her flair for life. Suzi was vibrant in absolutely everything she did. She was born in New Orleans in 1945 and loved her hometown and all the celebrations, culture and traditions that come with being a native New Orleanian. She was a huge Saints fan! (That is putting it lightly.) She had season tickets for over 30 years and would be decked out in elaborate black-and-gold outfits for every game. Suzi was a cheerleader in high school at Warren Easton - experience she put to good use in the Superdome, where she would single-handedly lead her section to start the "wave" at every game. She'd then cheer the fans on while watching it circle the dome. Suzi absolutely loved a celebration and turned practically every gathering into just that! She would dress up for every occasion. During holiday time she had a sequined Christmas sweater or festive outfit for the 12 days of Christmas and beyond. Her favorite holiday, of course, was St. Patrick's Day. She loved to embrace her Irish heritage and wore green from head to toe for the entire week leading up to the big day. It was her favorite color, and with her ravishing red hair and sparkling green eyes, it was honestly her best look. Suzi was multi-talented. She was an artist and painted in both oils and acrylics - but always in the brightest and boldest of colors - vibrant. She said it helped her express herself, that brightness and light is what she felt inside. Her personality was bold as well. Suzi exuded confidence. And she always longed to learn something new. The words "I can't do that" were simply not in Suzi's vocabulary! And she loved to encourage others to live their lives the same adventurous way. She had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the choir for years in church. But simply singing was not enough - especially when she was singing about Jesus Christ. She needed to express herself and her love for the Lord by more than simply singing, so years ago she began learning sign language to sign along with the songs. Her signing style was lively, beautiful, vibrant. Suzi was an avid gardener. Many of her most favorite moments were spent in her garden, either working with her hands digging in the dirt or relaxing with her dog Angel, listening to the birds and admiring the beautiful fruits of her hard work. She loved to be surrounded by a variety of plants and colors and particularly enjoyed "rescuing" fledgling plants and bringing them back to life. Her love for her family and countless dear friends was surpassed only by her love for the Lord. She supported and loved those in her family and in her church families in every way she could. She was called "MeMe" by her grandchildren, and later became "MeMe" to some of the children she nurtured and taught in Sunday school and vacation bible school. She loved the opportunity to encourage children to accept and learn the love of Christ - and to express it as vibrantly as they could! Just like she did. Suzi will be remembered as a beautiful, kind and generous woman who lived her life with everything she had. Her wish would be that we all live on in that example. Live life and be vibrant with everything you do. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claud Neal Fristoe, Jr. (Suzi lovingly referred to him as "Fritz"), her parents, Joseph A. Dugan, Sr., Anola Landry Martina and step-father Bartholomew "Bot" Martina, Jr.; older brother, Joseph Dugan, Jr.; and former husband and father of her children, John M. Sable. Suzi is survived by her twin children: Sheri Sable-Campbell (John) and John David Sable (Aimee); six grandchildren: Anna Sable Campbell, John Mandich "Jack" Campbell, II, Grant Joseph Campbell, John Ethan Sable, Liam David Sable and Emma Louise Sable; and a brother, Bartholomew J. "Chip" Martina, III (Cindy). Suzi is also survived by four step-sons, three step-daughters and numerous step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her best friend of over 50 years, Fay Rice (Kenny) and her absolute treasure, her shih tzu Angel. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Covington, 16333 Highway 1085. (In former worship center with portico entrance on Hwy. 1085 side of church.) Visitation will be at the church starting at 10 a.m. Refreshments will be served immediately following in the church Fellowship Hall. Interment will be private at a later date. Suzi's wishes were for her memorial service to be a celebration of her life. So, in pure Suzi fashion, she asked that friends come adorned in hats, as she loved them so, or dressed vibrantly as she loved to do. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Susan Fristoe's name to her beloved Samaritan Center in Mandeville, where she served as a board member for many years. The Samaritan Center: 402 Girod St., Mandeville, LA 70448, (985) 626-4457, www.samcen.org