In Memory of
Susan Pongratz
September 03, 1949 - May 6, 2011
Eulogy
Read on the 11th Day of May 2011
By Susan’s Beloved Sister-in-Law, Kathy
Good afternoon-
We have lost Susan; also known to many as a wife, mom, grandma, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, sister-in-law and friend. If there was anyone ever so deserving of a halo and pair of wings, it would be her. She did, after all, put up with this family. Aside from the trials and tribulations of family life, she portrayed an inner strength, grace and beauty that many of us only wish we had. From her humble upbringing in Pennsylvania, to her life as a young mother of three, she endured hard times, but was never content with just settling. She worked relentlessly hard for her family and always strived for something more.
She finally found that something more when she met and married her soul mate, Jim. Even as she was directed to say the words “honor and obey” by a small town judge at their wedding ceremony (and Jim did not have to do the same), Jim realized, it just might be s short honeymoon. The judge after all, had just riled her up with the whole "obey" thing. But that honeymoon, was a love that lasted a lifetime for both of them. Years later, they relocated to Florida and met many new friends, and welcomed family for visits. She enjoyed the wonderful Florida sunshine and warmth and could always be found sitting out on the patio.
Even when she was diagnosed with cancer and began her chemotherapy treatments, she didn’t skip a beat. She was stoic and strong from the onset, refusing to let her cancer define her. Perhaps it was her stubbornness or defiance in adversity that kept her alive, well past the projected time frame given by her doctors. She quietly battled her cancer, and if you saw her, you would not even realize how sick she was. She maintained her beauty, her radiance and her humor. It seemed she succumbed to her disease the way she handled it, quietly and peacefully.
We will remember Susan; wife and soulmate, mother, grandma, sister, sister-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, and friend every day. Every morning when the sun comes up we will remember how she loved the sunlight and when we feed the ducks and how she single handedly kept the entire duck population in Florida fed. Every time we see a Tic-Tac box, or look for a good kitchen knife, hear a Sugarland song, see a home for sale, find an abandoned cup of tea in the microwave, or a roll of change, there too, our thoughts will turn to mom.
We can only hope that as we continue on this journey, for now, without her, that we are able to exhibit the same grace, radiance, and inner strength that she has shown, all the years of her life. Today is not a day to say goodbye, but a day to rejoice, in a life well lived. Today we love her, release her, and let her go, as she told us she still had many things to see and do. So until we see her again, and she welcomes us home, with her beautiful and radiant smile, we rejoice in the time that we were blessed to have known and loved such an amazing woman.
Written by Her Beloved Daughter-in-Law, Dana
Written by Her Beloved Daughter-in-Law, Dana
Copy of Obituary Posted in the Saint Petersburg Times, May 11th, 2011
Pongratz, Susan M., 61, of Spring Hill, FL died May 6, 2011. Survived by husband Jim, children Dalla, Melissa & Tammy Lynn; 7 grandchildren; several siblings. Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation & Burial Society, Hudson, FL.
Memorial Service
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 | 11:00am - 12:30pm