Susan Jeanne (Blake) Salvatore
01/07/1947 – 04/05/2002

Susan married Bob Salvatore in September of 1963, and in mid-1964 their daughter, Gia was born. Their son, Chris came along 2 years later. They moved to Escondido, where they lived for eight years, then settled in Visalia, CA when Gia was just starting high school. Sue would want it known that while living in Escondido, she and Bob learned about the love, forgiveness, and new life available only through Jesus Christ. They became Bible believing Christians and brought their kids up in that faith. The Lord proved His goodness and faithfulness several times over throughout their lives. After the kids were grown and had families of their own, Sue began her work at Sequoia Nursery where she tended the roses. Mr. Ralph Moore owned the nursery and crossbred the roses to come up with original varieties. He was very picky and would reject many. Sue saw potential in a lot of the rejects, so she took them home, helped them grow and brought them back to Mr. Moore for a second look. She saved over 100 new varieties that way. Mr. Moore honored her contribution by naming one of the first roses she “saved” after her. It is the “Thanks to Sue” rose - a lovely, delicate apricot miniature rose that has been sold all over the world. Sue and Bob remained happily married until she lost her battle with cancer. They have two grandchildren through Gia and her husband Randy; Annalise who is beginning college in the fall and wants to have her own pet grooming business, and John who is beginning high school in the fall and wants to be a mechanical engineer to design cars inside and out. Chris is married, with a step-daughter, Anita, son-in-law, Javier, and 3 grandkids, Risa, Arthur, and Kenny, through his wife, Liza. Sadly, Sue never got to meet any of them because Chris met Liza about a year after Sue was gone. When she knew that her time was short, she told her family not to cry for her because the Lord gave her a good life filled with love. She was ready to go to her Savior. We all miss Sue and will never forget her smile, humor, wisdom, gentleness, and beauty. ~ Gia Bugni

It's Not Goodbye, It's Just 'Til We Meet Again--(original version about Susan Salvatore)

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Well, it wasn't so easy for me when she went home that day.
But it was time for her to hear her King say, "Well done." It was time for her to enter the joy of her Lord. She was ready, and I know what she'd say if she could "It's not goodbye, it's just 'til we meet again."
She loved Jesus, friends, and her family; did her best to serve all. She fought for us down on her knees, praying lest we should fall.
Her smile showed the love of the Lord, she blessed all that she knew. Praise was something she would never accept, that was all the Lord’s, too.
But it was time for her to hear her King say, "Well done." It was time for her to enter the joy of her Lord. She was ready, and I know what she'd say if she could "It's not goodbye, it's just 'til we meet again."
When our loved ones go, it hurts but we know this life isn't the end. If they loved Jesus, we can be assured we will see them again. Now they're up there worshipping our King, no more sadness or pain. Someday all of God's faithful will be reunited with Him.
And on the glorious day...
It will be time for us to hear our King say, "Well done." It will be time for us to enter the joy of our Lord. We'll be ready and we know why we said when we could.
"It's not goodbye, it's just 'til we meet again."
"It's not goodbye, it's just 'til we meet again."
Gia Bugni --2002