Sufi Remembrance

Birthdate: August 19, 1950 URS: July 21, 2024

Susan Jane Quick, affectionately known as Joy, crossed the rainbow bridge peacefully on July 20th, 2024, in her home, in Kaneohe, HI, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 73. Born on August 19, 1950, in Cincinnati, OH, Joy’s life was a testament to her name, as she spread happiness and love wherever she went. 

Joy graduated with a Master’s in Sociology from East Carolina University, where she laid the foundation for her future career and personal growth. In 1985, she moved to Oahu, Hawaii from Galveston, TX, where she began a new chapter of her life filled with warmth and aloha spirit. Joy was a dedicated licensed marriage and family therapist, having made significant contributions through her work at Salvation Army ATS and Argosy University. Her professional life was marked by her unwavering commitment to helping others heal and grow, and she was both a mentor and friend to many in her field.

Deeply spiritual, Joy was an active member of the Sufi community on Oahu and Maui. Together with her beloved husband, John Sausedo, they hosted the Dances of Universal Peace, creating a space for unity and spiritual connection. 

Joy is survived by her husband, John Sausedo; her oldest daughter, Amanda Quick (Justin Wesenberg) Watts, and their three sons, Evan, Alex, and Levi; her youngest daughter, Hannah Quick (Joe) Antico, their son, Callum, and daughter, Wendy; and her step-daughter, Kiara (Kryn) Sausedo, and their three sons, Rye, Cassius, and Nile.

Known for her radiant love and compassion, Joy touched the lives of everyone who knew her. She had an extraordinary ability to offer comfort and support to those facing challenges, and her legacy of kindness and generosity will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. Joy’s favorite place in the world was the ocean, and in accordance with her wishes, she will be buried at sea, forever swimming with the dolphins.

And then from Bodhi Be

Joy Susie Quick chose to become my mureed more than 10 years ago and we’ve continued to be close as guide and mureed, as my dear sister and friend, as a companion on this trail of the deep heart. She died recently on Oahu in Hawaii and her family, by her choice, had her body flown to Maui so I could see that her wish to be buried in the ocean would take place. Joy’s husband John Sausedo, a long-time Sufi and dear friend, Joy’s two grown daughters, John’s grown daughter all flew over to Maui along with some more of their family. This past Monday, at 6:30am, we, along with Leilah Be and Andrea Whales and her violin, and Michelle my fellow funeral director sailed out for an hour and a half, following EPA requirements for distance and depth. During that time, Joy Susie’s body lay on board with us, wrapped in a cotton shroud that along with her body, her Sufi cap and her chosen outfit, were burlap bags filled with sand to help her sink into the sea. Fortunately, the ocean and wind conditions were favorable to our journey and when we arrived and the captain turned the motor off, the ocean simultaneously calmed down. John, his daughter Kiara, Joy’s daughters Amanda and Hanna, Leilah, Andrea, Michelle and I gathered around Joy’s shrouded body. We spoke about Joy, we spoke to Joy, we sang and prayed and when the family was ready, we helped slide her into the ocean with the sounds of the ocean and Andrea’s violin. Everyone started tossing flowers into the water, having their moments and feelings. Then the three daughters jumped into the water, letting the moment and the vastness of the ocean wash over them. Later, we headed back to the harbor. A most beautiful and deep time, one Joy’s family will long remember and speak about, even now as John and Joy’s daughters share this story with their young children.