Susan Foster Ԁe Quintana

As most all of you know… I’ve been hiding out for more than a few years now, since the passing of my beloved Susan. It was very sad to have to forego a memorial service for our beloved Susan, due to the dreaded covid, but having a virtual memorial on-line has been very healing. I am finally starting to process the many stages of grief and depression, and I am beginning to emerge from my isolation and to re-engage with the world as it is. Your love and understanding has been very helpful, and I appreciate all of you very much.     One of the things I have discovered to be very helpful for me to heal through my terrible loss, has been to try and embrace the sadness and grief and to transform it all into Gratitude. Gratitude for having been loved by our wonderful Susan, and for having had such a loving and compassionate soul to share this miraculous gift of life with; and Gratitude for all the beautiful people and relationships that she has brought into my life! (Most all of you folks!)     So with that in mind… I have arranged for a beautiful Memorial Bench to be installed at our local park, here in our neighborhood, that Susan helped to found back in the early 80’s. McDonald Park is located on Mountain and Mar Vista, between Hill and Lake Avenue. Susan was deservedly proud of her role in establishing Pasadena's McDonald Park in 1982, a lovely five-acre space in the heart of our city's famous Bungalow Heaven. Featuring a children's play area, a softball diamond, handball courts, picnic facilities, and more. Since its founding McDonald Park has brought pleasure to countless Angelenos -- making it a fitting legacy. And now there is a beautiful new Memorial Bench dedicated to her there, in the north-east corner behind the baseball backstop, with her name on it! You can’t miss it! 
More Gratitude!      As with most projects, Susan’s Memorial Bench Monument involved several phases, and there are many people to thank for their generosity and expertise. First of all, of course, are all the folks over at The City of Pasadena Parks, Recreation and Community Services. The Installation Crew: Park Supervisor Carl Jones and assistant Danny who not only laid the concrete pad(s) in the park but also picked up Susan’s Memorial from my home and studio, transported it to the park, and expertly installed the Memorial. Thanks Guys, you did a great job!      I would especially like to give a huge Shout-Out to the  Parks Program Coordinator, Jason Vega. This project would not have happened without Mr. Vega’s help and guidance! He assisted me every step of the way, shepherding me through the entire process. From supplying me with the Public Monument Policy and all the documents necessary to put together the proposal application to be submitted to the Recreation and Parks Commission for the creation and installation of this Memorial Bench Monument, including the preliminary internal review, to actually submitting the proposal on my behalf to the Commission and receiving a unanimous approval from the board! Very impressive!                                   Thank You Jason!      Last, but certainly not least, I am very grateful to my good friend and neighbor Peter Koroghlian over at Innovative Designs and Manufacturing Inc., in Azusa.                            www.idmifurnishings.com Peter was a great admirer and a dear friend of our Beloved Susan! When Peter heard of my plans for Susan’s Memorial Monument, he graciously and generously offered to donate the bench! Peter had the bench prepped and painted, installed the plaque, and delivered the bench!            Peter, What a Guy! … You-Really-Are-The-Man!                     Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! When you can, go and visit Susan's Memorial Bench at McDonald Park. All my love to you -Roberto Quintana de Foster