Susan E. Joyce

Susan was special to me in so many ways.

As a (pre?) adolescent, I had a major crush on her as we did the summer "hanging out" thing on the streets of Houghs Neck. I think she may have been responsible for the onset of puberty in this wee lad. She has always been generous with her sweet smile and open heart.

Later, I joined the legion of junior and high school admirers. She had a lightness and aura that was borderline irresistible. Frankly, I don´t think she fully realized the effect that she had on others.

In my early 20´s, I moved to San Diego in 1977 but I felt like we remained close in the "forever friends" mode. We traded messages and I frequently visited when I came to town. We shared stages of our lives (both victories and struggles). I enjoyed our friendship.

In recent times, her health has not been great due to a serious accident and illnesses. She has hung in there through it all. Her history of perseverance made me think she´d beat the latest challenge.

The finality of her death means our hopes for Susan finding a happy, healthy life in her golden years are ended.

We all wanted more but our grief is tempered by the knowledge of the tranquility that is now Susan´s.