The Passing of a Great One: My Boy Named Sue

by Nicole Roberts 03.2026

My sweet Boy Named Sue passed away on February 5, 2026. He was a fighter from the beginning. 

Sue walked into my shop on July 14, 2011 with a gash on his face and was telling me (lots of meowing) about what happened to him (Should have seen the other guy). I had my vet come over to check him out. For ten days I kept him in the shop and treated his wounds while trying to find his owner. 

Sue would couch surf from place to place, but eventually ended up with me at Nicola Flora. Through the years he has protected the shop from other animals. He liked to visit Gary at Enoteca Sogno before opening hours. He liked to dine with customers on the patio at Northside Grille, and they would thank me because he was such a gentleman. He even liked to check out the shelves at CVS because the doors opened for him when he arrived. 

Sue claimed to be the Mayor of Bellevue. He wanted to run for president and even had shirts made. Sue graced the cover of The Richmond Times- Dispatch, is featured in the book “Rescues in Richmond” by Ashley Calkins. There’s even a life size image of him painted by Ed Trask on the Northside mural at the end of the block at the corner Brook Road and Bellevue Avenue. Sue is also included on the map for “Working Cats of Richmond,” and has been mentioned in Virginia Living, and Richmond Magazine. 

Throughout the years we have been through so much together. An earthquake, a tornado, an ice storm, and he was there for a break-in at the shop. I don’t think that Sue was afraid of anything. He was my constant calm when the store was crazy. He was the best greeter and welcoming cat. He made friends with everyone who walked through the door. 

My boy was so tough even when he was hurting on the inside. He had operations, diabetes, arthritis, yet he showed no pain. For our last vet visit, we found out that he had a tumor on his liver. He was anemic, had fluid in his lobes, and a handful of other ailments. The vet said she was surprised that he was still alive. 

We brought him home and I stayed right by his side. I slept on the floor with him and, in the middle of the night, he bumped me and woke me up and was just looking at me. I think that is when he said, “Goodbye.” The next morning, I had his head in my hand until he decided to go. I let him know it was OK. I told him how much everybody loved him and I thanked him for being my sweet boy named Sue. 

I am truly heartbroken.

If you have any recollections or photos of Sue please forward them to nicolaflora@aol.com