I was shocked and saddened to hear of Susan's passing. She was a force larger than life and truly wore a coat of MANY colors. Never one to toot her own horn, after being our "dog lady" for nearly 10 years, I learned, through our mutual doctor, that she had been a DA in California years before! When I next saw her I asked her about it and she casually said, "Oh that! Yes, after being arrested four times for contempt of court, I quit and opened a dress shop in Laguna Beach!"
Susan lovingly cared for my first two westies, Kirby and Scruffy, actually having a sweet sign made after Scruf's passing and placing it on the kennel he usually stayed in. She called him "Scruf-man." Shortly after we inherited our golden, Shanti, followed a year later by 2 westie pups, Dinky and Chubby McDuff. She treated each of them like her favorite. They spent several weeks at a time at Hilo Holiday Pet Hotel and loved every minute. They had a special canvas bag, Susan made them a personalized name tag for, with their food and treats. When I would take that bag out and begin packing, there was no peace in the house until Susan drove up the drive and they danced around waiting to jump in their kennels. At first I was mesmerized that this kind lady would pick up and deliver my dogs! I'd be waving goodbye and they never looked back, all I'd see was a bunch of wagging tails in the kennels. Many times she would call with an update of what they we doing. I remember, like it was yesterday, there was a big storm in Hilo. I called to see if they were alright. Susan answered and said she brought "the kids" up to the house and my dogs were watching TV with Richard, along with a few others-and that she had a duck downstairs in a wading pool! After a while I got to know Susan and realized she was dressed in casual, but fabulous clothes-Patagonia jackets and always a Prada bag! She truly loved what she did with the animals and I always told people about the property with her horses and each of the dog kennels that were individually themed.
Susan fondly spoke of her family-a lot. She told of Richard's contracting work and how she adored her grandchildren, all in California. I had the good fortune of meeting Kary when he was in Kurtistown and Susan arranged to have him come up to my house to repair a cracked wall. She was absolutely right, no one in Hawaii could come close to his expertise. I never got to meet Kimberlee, but Susan spoke of her lovely home, riding horses and great car - loving life in California!
With my deepest sympathy to the family,
Jeanne Bayola
