Susie Joann Long was born in Long Beach, California. She had 7 siblings and was the youngest of the girls. In the words of her sister, Chris, “Susie had a twinkle in her eye, dimples in her cheeks, and a knowing of the world that was far beyond her years”. Chris goes on to say that everything she knows in life, she learned from her little sister. Susie graduated from Hollywood High School. She went on to work for her Father, who specialized in Investments, and in a short amount of time, proved to be very astute. The foundation was then laid for what would become a lifetime of successful professional pursuits, all of which were fueled by her entrepreneurial nature, her drive and her passion for the Health & Wellness Industry. Anyone who knew Susie, knew she was business savvy and sought her out for her knowledge, as well as her sharp instinct. She passed this on to her children, both of which would go on to be successful entrepreneurs.
Now, this may come as a surprise to you all, but Susie liked to have a good time. If there was a party, she was there or was on her way. Her siblings repeatedly used the word fun when asked about her character as a young woman. SUSIE-WAS-FUN!
On one particular evening, her pursuit of a good time led her straight to her fate and to her soul’s mate. Susie Hayes met André Long. André spotted the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen across the bar and could not take his eyes off of her. He quickly found himself in a bar brawl with a random stranger that had taken Susie’s chair. His devotion to her was instantaneous. She looked into that strapping young Marine’s warm brown eyes and decided then and there, that his were the only eyes she would ever gaze into again. In 1978 they were married in a church in Reno, Nevada and celebrated their honeymoon in Lake Tahoe. In 1979, they welcomed their first child, a son, Justin. In 1983 they were blessed once again when their second child arrived, a daughter, Melissa. André and Sue were raising their family in Sacramento California when they decided, on a whim and a prayer, to make the big move to Idaho. They yearned for the sweet country air, a slower pace and a better upbringing for their growing children. Andre’ & Sue ran a roofing business, and she started working at Nutrition West, a job she would go on to have for 20 years. Justin & Melissa graduated from Emmett High School and left home shortly thereafter to start their lives. Susie & André’s love remained steadfast and strong. They knew the importance of the little things and strived to show each other every day what they meant to one another through these endearing gestures. André made his wife breakfast every morning before she left for work. He started her car to ensure it was comfortable & warm prior to her getting in. When she was leaving work for the day, Susie would always call her husband to let him know. This made him feel better about her commute back home, back to him. They enjoyed an array of outdoor activities together; their favorite being camping. They also loved spending time with their children and later in life, their four precious grandchildren.
Melissa allowed me the privilege of seeing a few of the greeting cards her parents exchanged over the years. With her permission, I’d like to share a couple of quotes from those cards with you today…
This is an excerpt from a card that Susie gave to her husband:
“You are the love of my life. Through all of the ups and downs of life we have beat the odds and we were able to work things out. It was our love for each other that made it possible. We should be proud of our kids because they are a reflection of us and our love for them. I’m so proud of you to be my husband and thankful that we have each other. I love you baby, more than you know! Susie”
This is an excerpt from a card that André gave to his wife:
“I love you very much. And I never ever wanted anyone but you to share my life with. Love you forever, André”
Their love was profound. It was rooted in mutual respect, trust, friendship and a deep devotion to one another, their family and the life they built, piece by piece, together. It stood the test of time. Susie & André were married for 44 years when she passed.
Susie was deeply proud of her marriage and of her husband. She was proud of her children, the quality of their characters and their devotion to their parents. She was proud of her grandchildren. She was proud of her career. She was proud of her life.
It is very important to Susie’s husband, children and grandchildren, that you know how much they loved her. She provided for them selflessly. She protected them. She was unwavering in her support for them and did so without judgement. She was deeply proud of them. Her energy gave them flight and her vibrance filled them with joy and pride as they watched her share it with the rest of the world. She was the ULTIMATE MATRIARCH. She will be deeply missed and loved forevermore.
We are humbled by the challenge of describing the fullness of Susie’s beauty, the magnitude of her life and the impact of her legacy. She was a woman of grace, fierce devotion, courage, and unconditional love. She had a magnetic personality, drawing everyone in with her charm and quick-witted nature. She provided boundlessly for those she cared for and touched countless lives along her journey. Friends and family were inspired by Susie’s impact. It’s important to remember how much richer our lives have been because of our relationship with her. Her life was one lived from the heart and to the fullest. There is nothing more to want from or ask for in life.