It is with great sorrow and sadness that I have to write this story. Carolyn Sue Gleason, a friend of mine for over twenty years, on Saturday, January 3rd, lost her battle with cancer.

She and I first crossed paths at a show very early on in both of our times in the cat fancy. In fact, she was still showing and breeding Exotics & Persians. We became very special friends, both in and out of the cat fancy, and helped each other through all of the good and the bad times since. For those who never knew her, you have missed out on something very special. For those who did get the opportunity to know her, she will always live on.

Sue was the mainstay of the M.E.O.W.S. Cat Club and involved in many facets of the cat fancy. She was crucial in the establishment of the CFA Breeders Assistance Program, a member of both the Mentor and Ambassador Programs, and a member of the Cat'n on the Fox and Packerland Cat Clubs. Her dedication and hard work will be missed in all the clubs and programs.

I have tried to put together a varied collection of photos from throughout our friendship and I want to thank all of the individuals that have sent emails from all the various lists that she was a part of. There is no better memorial, than what your friends have to say.

Paul Patton

The Day God Called You Home
Author Unknown

God looked around his Garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.

He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on earth again.

He saw your path was difficult, he closed your tired eyes,
He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.

When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain,
We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.

You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
You live on through your children, you're always by our side.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home.

It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home. 

Date: Saturday, January 03, 2009 5:59 PM

It is with a heavy heart that I pass this message along about Sue Gleason. She will be missed by family, friends, co-breeders and many that she mentored over the years. She joins her beloved pets across the Rainbow
Bridge. We miss and love you Sue.

Cathy Dunham 

Date: Monday, January 05, 2009 5:58 AM

I was out of town this weekend and didn't hear of Sue's passing until yesterday afternoon. The Sphynx community will miss one of our biggest champions and a dear friend to many of us.

I had the great pleasure of getting to know Sue very well over the last couple of years and what I think we all loved so much about Sue was her spirit and never ending energy. I don't think I've ever met anyone who was as passionate as Sue was about her cats, her family and her friends.

I know I'll miss her and words can never really describe what a wonderful person we have all lost.

Sincerely,
Cyndee Gause 

Date: Saturday, January 03, 2009 7:28 PM

Our hearts are Heavy to hear the news -Our prayers will be with the
Gleason Family in days ahead. Our Hearts will carry on in these days to
think of the not only the people Sue touched -But the knowledge and
kindness she knew and showed to everyone from cats down to
wildlife. It's like the ark was part of Sue -In the short time we met
and talk or emailed. It was always about the health and well being of
all animals .Sue had a way to have or try for everyone to stick to the
cats we all loved so much adverse disagreements. Like my one friend in
the fancy has said -We can have disagreements in the fancy about our
cats, but in the end -The fancy bonds us with our those cats we love ,It
does and always will make us strong and together when in time of
sorrow. I appreciate Sue years in the fancy ,her knowledge ,friendship
and being moderator and sharing a Smile! Thank you Sue and her family
for sharing your time with us -Sincerely, Diana Johns 

Date: Saturday, January 03, 2009 11:26 PM

May God give peace and comfort to Sue's family. I never met her but we communicated by email several times. She was always so willing to answer questions for me. I am sad I never got to meet her in person. What a very precious, lovely lady she must have been.

I am in Texas as well so if there is anything at all I can do please know all anyone has to do is let me know.

Blessings and comfort to all!
Wendi Morton 

Date: Sunday, January 04, 2009 4:48 PM

Such sad news of Sue Gleason. She, as many have stated, has been a champion for the Sphynx breed, and a champion for discipline and non-judgment as the list mom on the Adventures group and as a member on other groups. Sue gave everyone a fair shake while adhering to her strong ethics for this breed we all love.

She will be missed by many in our community, and most certainly by her human family and her Sphynx children.

Kay in Alabama 

Date: Sunday, January 04, 2009 3:35 PM

Hi Everyone:

I am so sad that Sue Gleason has crossed The Rainbow Bridge. I was so hoping to be able to meet her. I really enjoy the photos that have appeared, the one with the little monkeys and the Wal-Mart sphynx are fabulous. They certainly show a loving person.

I recently sent a get well card to the hospital in Texas. Does anyone have an address for Don Gleason's home so I could send a sympathy card.

Bless you Sue for your loving contributions to the sphynx world. Enjoy a great rest and reunion with all the sphynx who have gone on ahead. Please look for my KyKy beautiful boy, he might need a head pat and ear scratch.

Diana Nelson  

Date: Saturday, January 03, 2009 10:20 PM

Sorry to hear this news. Sue was certainly a champion of all things
Sphynx, mutant and just animals in general.
Very sad lost to the cat fancy.

GOD Speed you Sue. No more pain or suffering and a happy joyous
rejoining of all the beloved critters at the bridge...

My sympathies to her family & all her friends in this sad time.

Regards,
Trish & Mike 

 Date: Sun Jan 4, 2009 7:35 am ((PST))

I am so sad to learn of Sue's death. She was genuinely the salt of the earth with a big heart and warm smile for all she knew. She loved her cats, her friends, her family and had a humorous way of writing that can never be duplicated. She was so excited about her recent move to Texas and the new adventures it would present for her and Don and the cats she loved so much. She will be missed by many.

My prayers and sympathy are extended to Don and Sue's family at this very difficult time.

David Mare 

Date: Sun Jan 4, 2009 10:24 am ((PST))

It is very sad that we lost Sue. She was a driving force in the Sphynx world and I know I will miss her. Hopefully Don will be Ok with the support of his family and friends.

A sad beginning to the year
Wiebke

Date: Sun Jan 4, 2009 11:52 am ((PST))

It is with great sadness that I post the passing of Sue Gleason.

Sue was a feisty lady who was always willing to help and always
had a positive response to any situation. Sue had always lived in the
Midwest and started out in Persians, Exotics, then Maine Coons and finally Sphynx Sue had recently moved to Texas along with her husband Don and
her cats.?

About a year ago she had took over as the Breeders Assistance Chair and had been the coordinator in the Midwest since the programs inception. Sue felt this was what we should be doing helping other breeders in their times of need. Sue was always behind the scenes helping individuals long before the program became a reality so being a part of it was a perfect fit for her.

Several people in the BAPBR program have driven to TX to bring Sue's cats back to the Midwest so her legacy and her love of the breed can continue.?

She will be missed!

Linda Berg

Date: Sunday, January 04, 2009 4:39 PM

This absolutely breaks my heart. We were so close when I was Mentor Program Coordinator. She's one of the best people I know. I was so hoping the change of years would bring about a change of heart break and hard- ships.

Mandi

Date: Tuesday, January 06, 2009 8:10 PM

I got to know Sue through the design and maintenance of her website. She was the most joyful person I know, as shown by the Home page of her site. Celebrate and dance when you think of Sue. 

I know she is laughing and kicking up her heals.

Ande DeGeer

If there is anyone with questions concerning the Gleadom Cattery,
please contact Paul Patton at: luvlypurr@comcast.net