“You had a smile that could fix any problem, and a personality that could light the world.”

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It’s taken me a really long time to be able to write anything on here. At first, I thought it was just because I didn’t know what to write, but today I realized it’s because there are so many words and so many stories I have to share about you, Susie.

You had a smile that could fix any problem, and a personality that could light the world. You will be more-than-missed and we are all lucky to know you are watching over us. I’ll miss you more then anyone could imagine and I can promise you, no one will ever fill the void in my life that’s now been created by losing you.

I still remember our days at Tides Beach, where you’d constantly run across “the circle” in one of your wild printed bathing suits searching for candy, or trying to convince me to search the beach for miles until we found a single piece of blue beach glass, or force me to turn over rocks and find those small crabs with you.

Then we grew up a little more, and spent our nights at that same beach eating dessert talking to good old Angelo and watching the storms roll in across from Connecticut. Years passed again and desserts continued, only now, we were watching sunsets and listening to Fleetwood Mac.

More time passed and now we were “grown-ups.”  We’d sit in the sunroom and listen to the Beatles or some dance mixes and “twist” the night away. We’d smile for hours and laugh over the silliest things

Christmas eves were always a blast. Between the fire trucks, the gossip, and the who’s-who and what’s-whats, we never had a disappointing holiday eve.

I still laugh over our last dance-off. Your mom and I drank a ton of wine we all did the twist, and you and I were blamed for her hangover the next day.

I miss you more than anything, but every day I think of you and every day it becomes more and more clear that you really are watching over me. I love you so much, Susie. Keep everyone strong. <3

-Kerrin Blieka

“What she was in life is what we all should be.”

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Our humble contribution to this page has been channeled by our friends, Joe and Maria. Nancy and I have four children together. We did not know Susie, but the look in her eyes tells us she was very loved — and loved life — and put others before herself.

We love music and we can play it. This is a stanza from Bon Jovi:

 

Shining Like A Diamond
Rolling Like the dice
Standing on the Ledge
Show the Wind How to Fly

 

This is not so difficult to write… now.
Both our fathers passed early, as well as a Granddaughter.

Susie is in our hearts, and what she was in life is what we all should be.

-Nancy and Dan Boyle

“Thank you Susie for making me a better person every day! “

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On Friday Night, there was a dance at my school.

My friends and I went and there wasn’t a lot of people there, so we were just hanging out. I saw this girl and her name was Jessica. I don’t like to refer to people by names, but she had an obesity issue and everybody made fun of her. It’s not her fault; she can’t control this issue.

My friends were making fun of her by the moves she made while she was dancing and I thought it was extremely rude. My sister and I went over to Jessica and we asked her if she wanted to dance with us, and it felt really good to do that because I know it would hurt me if I was at a dance and everybody was making fun of me.

Jessica and I are now friends, and I like her a whole lot 🙂

Thank you Susie for making me a better person every day!

-Amanda Feldmann

“For me, Susie represents the ideal character of a human being”

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Hey Susie,

I have been wanting to do this for a while now, but I am still in shock. I still can’t believe I am posting this very message. But where to start with my Susie stories, hmm, that is a hard one.

I think I will start with Susie making my life what it is today. If it were not for Susie I would be a completely different person. Since meeting her in 10th grade as the “little annoying girl” who would poke us to becoming one of my greatest friends in life. We have been through a lot together, both in life experiences and shared memories with all of our friends. Not only was Susie my go-to friend whenever I had trouble in my life she was also the person who always wanted to do something and have fun.

If we were feeling lazy all of us would just hang out out on the porch, and if we felt like doing something we went out East with the Facinis. If it were not for Susie (and yes, i will be using this frequently, she’s done a lot for me), I would never have met my best friends and Melissa.

I met Melissa through hanging out at Susie’s house, a place where I solidified friendships with many others as well. Susie was my rock, that one friend in my life that everyone searches for. It wouldn’t matter if we hadn’t seen each other for 20 minutes or 2 weeks we would pick up right where we left off. She was a remarkable genuine person. For me, Susie represents the ideal character of a human being. She loved everyone and wasn’t afraid to share it.

For my fondest memory (of the many), it would have to be her sweet sixteen party. The entire night was fun. Everything about it, from making the giant human pyramid to being one of the last to leave just hanging out listening to music with her. I thank her for a lot of things in my life and will always cherish the memories that we had together.

As my bracelet is a reminder of her it is also a reminder on how to live my life like Susie. My heart goes out to Susie’s family. I will always be around to comfort and share with you, especially on the nights when Mr. and Mrs. Facini stumble upon Led Zeppelin concerts on TV. Stay strong and remember that we are here for you. <3

-Joe Cambridge

“I was given the greatest opportunity to meet someone like you”

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Susie, if I was able to say one more thing to you, I would tell you how much you have impacted my life.

The first time I met you, you were by far the most enthusiastic and energetic person I’ve ever met. But over time I got to see your true colors, and how many other lives you impacted. I was given the greatest opportunity to meet someone like you, and now that you have moved on, you hold a valuable place in my heart. I know that you are not physically here with all of us, your presence, warmth and love will never leave.

Rest easy angel!

-Steve Ferraro

“I wear your beautiful bracelet every day since your mom sent it to me.”

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Hi Susie,

I wear your beautiful bracelet every day since your mom sent it to me. You were so lucky to be surrounded by so many people who loved you. You are a spectacular person, and while I did not meet you personally, your parents are beautiful people, who are doing everything they can to get their old friends to know you.

Your mom sent me a purple bracelet; which happens to be my 2 daughters’ favorite color. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I have seen my friends go through so much loss. I hope you are having a great time with them; Liz, Em, and I send you our love everyday. Sweet angel.

-Mary Ellen

“It would warm my heart every time”

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Susie, you have inspired me to make the best of myself. Now that you are an angel I swear you have been looking out for me. Everything has just been working out so smoothly. I stare at your bracelet every day and it gives me the strength to go on, and reminds me to never stop pushing myself.

I regret every day that we didn’t stay friends throughout high school. But even though we weren’t friends, you always took the time to smile at me when you walked past me in the hallway, and you always said hello. It would warm my heart every time. You are such a sweet person.

There are days when I read the stores on LiveLikeSusie and I start feeling sick… you are so loved and missed by so many people. I often wonder why such a beautiful person was taken from us.. but as cliché as it sounds.. Only the good die young.

You are my inspiration, my motivation, and strength. Thank you for everything you have given me.

-Stephanie

“She had such enthusiasm for life!”

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Although I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Susie as an adult, I have such fond & vivid memories of Susie when she was 4. Andy & my son Matt were in third grade together and between getting together at each others homes, meeting at the beach, and the boys being on the same church soccer and baseball teams, we would see Susie a lot.

Susie’s smile always lit up the room even then. She had such enthusiasm for life! She was always smiling & dancing around! I love to read the posts & stories from her family & friends. By reading them, I feel I have gotten to know Susie as an adult.

I don’t think she changed very much; the beautiful little girl with the wonderful smile grew into a beautiful young lady with that same wonderful smile. Susie has touched many lives in many ways… she will always be remembered for the sweet, kind, loving, gentle she was… and if we all LIVE LIKE SUSIE… what a legacy that will be! Love you Susie! 🙂

-Karen Kershis

“. . .because it was SOOOOO PRETTY OUT!”

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One day in Italian class Susie and I were like little kids that had way too much sugar.

On our 10-minute break from class we decided to go outside right in the window where everyone could see us because it was “SOOOOO PRETTY OUT!”

We were climbing the poles, playing with kids, chasing squirrels, sitting on the sidewalk taking in the sun, digging through bushes. All of a sudden, our teacher walks into the class, and saw us through the window… we had no idea that he was watching me and Susie, in astonishment, for about 5 minutes. He made us come back inside, to which we quickly responded “datsss stoooopid,” but her and I couldn’t stop laughing all day long!

-Brittni Lo Nigro

“The simplest things always made you laugh.”

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Susie, my favorite memory was when your mom took us to Connecticut for your birthday to go to that huge mall and go shopping. We took the ferry over and had so much fun the whole time. We got Dip’n Dots at the mall from that new machine that was like a suction cup and we were so amazed by it and how it pulled the dip and dots up. The simplest things always made you laugh. Anything would make you happy no matter what it was. I miss your laugh, and I miss you so much.

-Danielle Riccardella