jeannesu

jeannesu
Originally uploaded by WebSphinx.

This is a reflection of me in the window. But it doesn't look like me, it looks like my big sister Suzy.

I see her everywhere

Sue Lee

November 22, 1952 - September 28, 2007

Sue Lee, long-time resident of Passaic Avenue, Livingston
passed away on September 28, 2007 in St. Clare’s Hospital in Dover, from a recurrence of breast cancer.

A brilliant and creative student throughout her school years, Suzy appeared at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC as one of the HOUSE performers in avant-garde artist Meredith Monk’s JUICE in 1969. Named as a National Merit Scholar, upon graduation from Livingston High School, she was admitted into Sarah Lawrence College. Diagnosed in her freshman year as manic depressive, she left Sarah Lawrence, continuing her undergraduate studies at St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD, and for a semester at the Santa Fe, NM campus. Despite the complex issues created by her manic-depressive illness, she was able to complete the academically demanding course of study, receiving honors on her Orals, and graduating from St. John’s in 1976.

During her life, she worked in various capacities, including children’s librarian at the Chatham Public Library, peer counselor for PACT of Essex County, field worker for the US Census, clerical work with temporary agencies and with Prudential in East Hanover. Suzy provided inspiration to many as an artist’s model with the Riker Hill Art Park in Livingston, and as “Eve” for a massive bronze Adam and Eve by New Jersey sculptor, Michael Shachem. One of her most demanding life challenges was the companioning and care of her own mother, Ruth S. Lawrenson, as Ruth, in her eighties, declined in her own battle with breast cancer.

At her best, Suzy was a gifted, sensitive and compassionate human being, never happier than when she was able to relish the gifts of the world around her: gardens, living creatures, children and flowers, the affection of friends, the stimulation of literature and the Arts, the beauty of Christmas trees alight and the awakenings of spring. Her forays into mania took her to many regions unknown and uncharted by her family and friends, and her bouts of depression plunged her into depths few of us will ever comprehend. As she herself said, “It’s been a wild ride.” On this plane, her journeys are now over, and we who love her still, wish her peace.

Survivors include her sisters, Jeanne and Penny.

A memorial service in celebration of Suzy’s life will be held at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in May.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Suzy’s name to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, 4949 Ogletown Stanton Road Ste. 107, Newark, DE 19713, or online at http://www.blogger.com/www.cchnet.net,
or to St. Clare’s Foundation, “Miracles” Campaign, 75 Bloomfield Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834.