Honoring a beautiful lady - Arrangements

On May 31, 2020, Susie succumbed to a fast growing metastatic cancer that was diagnosed in mid-March. 

Susie was born to Waynette and John Glenn in Richmond, Virginia, on October 20, 1952. Her family moved to Memphis when she was in the 8th grade. She graduated from St. Agnes Academy in 1970. In her senior year, she met her future husband John. She then entered Ole Miss and graduated in 1974. While there, she was very active in Pi Beta Phi sorority. After college, she moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where she worked as a newspaper reporter. She returned to Memphis to begin a career in nursing at the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing. After graduation she worked as a labor and delivery nurse. Her loving heart, good natured personality, strong work ethic, and professional demeanor earned her the respect and admiration of her patients and co-workers. After leaving her clinical career, she began a new career with Human, Inc. where she was highly respected for exceptional skills in communication and leadership. 

On October 10, 1981, she married John E. Sullivan, Jr.  they are the proud parents of John E. Sullivan III and Frank Glenn Sullivan. They are blessed with three grandchildren: Harper, Gaddon, and Weston. 

Susie leaves behind her mother; Waynette; three brothers; Michael Newton, Wayne Glenn and Lawson Glenn; and many nieces and nephews. 

Susie had mastered the art of hospitality. Everyone that encountered Susie was treated to her warm smile and sparkling blue eyes. She truly personified grace and dignity. 

Always an adventurer, she enjoyed travel by air, land and sea. In later years she enjoyed “Glamping” (camping in trailers) with a group of like-minded girls who call themselves the Sisters on the Fly. They traveled near and far enjoying the natural beauty of our country. 

Susie was and active member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, where she worked with the Haiti Committee, the Parish Council, the Flower Committee, and the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Guild. 

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at Park West Hospital in Knoxville and the Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Memphis for the exceptional care given to Susie during the last months of her life. They truly represent the level of professionalism that Susie herself strived to provide to her patients. 

Mass followed by interment will be at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, June 6, 2020 at noon. 

I lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be sent to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Guild. 

Please wear a mask as required for this memorial. 

Stay Strong.....

Mom,
Now I know why you always told me to be strong. You knew that one day I would need the strength to bear your loss.
Love Frank and Weston


Susie made her transition to Heaven this morning. Funeral arrangements will be posted as soon as they are confirmed.
SherryFrank & Weston

Just Resting

From Frank - Susie has been resting peacefully since Saturday. 

I last spoke with Susie on May 15. That day she told me it was so good just to talk with me about how she felt.  I’m sure if she could call me now she would say that she isn’t quite ready to close the lid to her bag and still had a few things to pack before moving to Heaven.  Rest sweetly Susie and know that we will all be fine here but will miss you greatly. We will look for you at the Gates when we arrive and expect that you will be holding a tray of cold refreshment like we have never had before and that beautiful smile you always have....

Sherry

Waiting to Meet Jesus

The family is asking for prayers for a peaceful transition.

Beautiful Susie you are so loved. 

From Frank: Say a Prayer Please

Plain and simple. Frank asks that you pray for Susie and her family.

Prayers for Susie and the family are a great thing. The days are difficult and Susie rests most of the day. Please pray for strength and comfort for all. I spoke with Susie last week which was a joy. Her conversations are few now as her body goes through this process. I thought these words below were fitting for the day.
Thanks for caring and praying. I also wanted to post the number of views as this has always made Susie smile and be excited over how many people care.
Sherry

Loan yourself some energy

If you don’t have much energy, start to use whatever energy you do have. You’re sure to get more.

When you can’t muster the enthusiasm to take action, go ahead and take action anyway. The enthusiasm will come.

Whatever you must do, you don’t have to wait to feel like it. Because very quickly, what you do will change the way you feel.

Loan yourself some enthusiasm, some energy, some hopefulness, some ambition. You’ll soon be paying yourself back, with interest.

Rise up, literally, physically, stand straight, look forward. Change the quality of your experience and you’ll immediately change the state of your attitude, of your spirit.

You can feel the way you choose to feel, the way you choose to act. So choose to feel vigorous, energetic, and purposeful by acting that way, and give life all the good things you can give it.

— Ralph Marston

Facing the Problem

I spoke with Susie yesterday. She is hanging in there. It’s frustrating being bed ridden and your mind still wanting to do things that your body cannot cooperate with. She is bored. She takes several naps throughout the day and I told her that is perfectly ok to do.

Pray for her comfort and peace over the things she has on her heart as these are difficult times to bear.
May you all enjoy your health and families!
Sherry

Saturday, May 16, 2020

Face the problem

Facing a serious problem is tough. Yet the long-term consequences of avoiding that problem will be even more difficult.

There is no easy choice, but it’s easy to see there is an optimal choice. Facing the problem, as burdensome as it may be, is less burdensome than forever running from it.

Wishing that the problem had never happened, doesn’t improve anything. Pretending the problem isn’t there does not make it go away.

You have a strong, innate desire to follow the least objectionable path. Put that desire to work for you.

Remind yourself that the pain of avoidance will be far greater than the pain of facing the problem. Then let your own natural desire to avoid the bigger pain, push you to embrace the lesser pain of taking action.

Make a difficult path easier to choose by comparing it to an even more difficult option. Face the problem once and for all, long before it can become much worse.

— Ralph Marston

Cancer Sucks!

Time for the big reveal!

These are words today from Susie!

CANCER SUCKS!

While I am appreciative for the time, I have to admit that having multiple daily visits has been taxing. 

The blog has saved me along with all the thoughtful cards, letters and gifts. As many people know me, I keep stamps, my favorite black pens and an assortment of note cards in my car.  

(including 3 x 5s to make todo lists on)

As I listen to Michael Buble’ sing “Feeling Good,” I love opening the cards and go to sleep thinking of our campfire songs and the general rowdiness. 

Love you all,

Susie

Feeling Good by Michael Buble’

"Feeling Good"

Birds flying high
You know how I feel
Sun in the sky
You know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by
You know how I feel

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
I'm feeling good

Fish in the sea
You know how I feel
River running free
You know how I feel
Blossom on a tree
You know how I feel

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Dragonfly out in the sun
You know what I mean,
Don't you know?
Butterflies all havin' fun
You know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
That's what I mean

And this old world
Is a new world
And a bold world
For me
For me

Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

I'm feeling good
I feel so good
I feel so good

May the 4th be with you!

Susie has had a busy past few days. She was granted the pleasure of family visits in her room which has made her very tired.  Being able to touch your loved ones without the glass between you brings a whole new level of reality to the situation.

The nurses have pulled her visitor card to make her rest for a couple of days and her phone will be off too.

Continued prayers for peaceful comfort for Susie and family are appreciated.
Sherry

Give today a purpose

Treat today with the respect it deserves. Give it a clear purpose.

If you’re not sure what you intend to do, you’ll waste the most precious resource you have, which is time. When you know exactly what you must do, you’re highly likely to get it done.

Define your goals for this day, and provide all the details. Every specific detail creates a platform upon which you can take action.

Give this day a purpose and give yourself the enthusiasm and energy to live it well. Entice yourself into sustained productive action by being clear about where that action will lead.

You have one opportunity to live this day. Make the most of that opportunity by being clear about what you intend to do with it.

At the conclusion of this day, vast potential rewards await you. Bring those rewards to life by seeing them, clearly and in specific detail, right now.

— Ralph Marston