Sue Streva

Sue Ann Sparks was born in Glendale on March 19, 1950. She was little sister to Tom and would eventually be big sister to Scott Ivan. She grew up in the San Fernando Valley, specifically on Redbank Street in Sun Valley. During the formative years of her life, her big brother stepped in and played the role as parent in many ways. He made her bed, got her dressed in the morning, and did her hair.
It is because of him that she was a redhead from the age of about 13 on. She graduated from Polytechnic High in 1967 having just turned 17. She went on to Pierce College, not sure what she wanted to do with her life. During this time, she began working for Hughes Markets, just like her mom. In 1969, her mom was working with a young man by the name of Wayne Streva. Through this connection, Wayne and Sue went on their first date and decided to get engaged after three whole weeks. They married on May 3, 1969.
During the 70’s, Sue would have two children- Christopher in 1972 and Stacy in 1977. She still worked as a checker at Hughes as her schedule allowed, while Wayne worked his way up to management with the company. Sue could always be counted on to be a fast, efficient checker and know all her produce codes.
Sue was a caring mom, and made it her mission to give her children the upbringing she would have wanted for herself. She was an avid movie goer and would constantly treat her children to shopping and movie days. Sometimes it felt like the Streva family kept the UA Theatre in Granada Hills open. It is safe to say her children were her pride and joy only to be outdone by her grandchildren who came along in 2000, 2002, and 2006.
As time marched on, Sue started to work at Blue Cross in the late 90s. She worked the phones and was an auditor. Again, her efficiency served her well, but working in the insurance business was not the same as serving customers face to face. She missed the markets, but made many dear friends during her time there. She retired in 2012 and was looking forward to spending time at the movies and the casinos.
In September 2014, Sue suffered a stroke. It seemed minor at the time, but six weeks later, she would have several more strokes. As the years went on, her body would continue to betray her, but her mind remained as sharp as it had always been. By the end of 2022, Sue had to begin dialysis and she struggled to keep up with the treatments. She was already so frail, but she tried to keep up with the treatments the best she could. In September of 2023, she looked in her daughter’s eyes and said she was all done. Mercifully she was taken home on September 19, four days later. She is survived by the many people she touched, a husband of 54 years, two children, and four grandchildren.