Susan J Bridges (Rains)

Susan J Bridges (Rains), 77 years old, lived in this world ‘listening to the happys’ caring for so many people in her work and personal life – always showing up with a laugh and a smile. She was born on December 10, 1945, to John Rains and Katie Kozeliski in Gallup, New Mexico. She was hard working and independent from a young age, moving out of her house at 16 years old with her 14 year old sister, Mary. They supported themselves working at the local Dairy Star and other service jobs until graduating high school. After graduation, Susan got a job at Mountain Bell Telephone and Telegraph as a night-shift, long-distance telephone operator where she worked hard and came home with fantastic stories to tell and laugh about. She would eventually retire from this company having seen it through several transitions and her own move to Albuquerque.  She never stopped working.  Up until the moment she passed she was doing what she loved - helping take care of the elderly, maintaining their dignity, always showing them compassion and love.

Susan is survived by her two daughters Monica Manginell (Ron Manginell) and Joyce Bridges (fiancé Alberto Solis), older brother John, grandchildren (her loves) Joseph, Emma and Katie Perez, Sydney and Avery Manginell, and beloved nieces and nephews.  But truly she had many families she loved and of whom she was proud. She was a caregiver for people when they could not fully care for themselves and through these relationships she truly gained additional families that she loved as her own.  Her impact was broad. Her work ethic was incredible. Her friendships were meaningful.  She rarely stopped. She always showed up.  She left us suddenly on December 29^th, 2022, leaving a big hole in our hearts, a seat at grandkid's events, a space on the dance floor, a plate at the lunch table with dear friends, the bench at Lobo basketball games, and everything in between.

Please join us in honoring and celebrating her life

Monday, January 23^rd , 2023

Rosary at 10:30AM

Mass Service at 11:00AM

Church of the Incarnation 

2309 Monterrey Rd. NE, Rio Rancho

Reception immediately following on premises.

Private Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery 2:30PM

Your stories and support since her passing have been genuinely uplifting.  In lieu of flowers, please consider offering a memory or story. There will be an opportunity to write something privately at the reception or in the guestbook below.