Susan Marie Pursglove Bartlett
Dearest Susan, Frank, Richard, John and family,
For many years your mother played a huge role in my life. I spent much of my adolescent and teenage years in your home and I have so many memories of the times we spent together. Your mother taught me how to fold towels and still, to this day, I fold them exactly the way she showed me. She taught me her spaghetti recipe (with mushroom soup) which i adore to this day. We would talk for endless hours about family, friends, the air force, moving, husbands, wives, children and dogs–she always wanted to know what I thought and I knew she was really interested in knowing about me which of course partially explains why she was so admired by her students–it makes a huge impact on the learning process when young people are treated with respect.
I was with her and remember how scared and brave she was when she was operated on for thyroid cancer. I think she was only 28 years old.
She was a young mother with four little kids and she was always dressed beautifully–she looked elegant in shorts. I wanted to dress and look just like her.
My life was enriched by the times we shared together and I will always cherish those memories.
I know Mary Alice will be deeply missed and my heart and prayers are with you all.
Much Love,
Susan