28 April 2015

2006 memories of Susan and Ray in Saint-Aignan

Susan and Ray were are friends of ours from Oakland, California. They came to visit us in Saint-Aignan in March 2006. That was nine years ago — who knows where the time goes? The memory is vivid and it all seems like it happened last week.

At the Valmer gardens near Vouvray
Instead, what happened last week was shocking and saddening for those of us who knew, worked with, and admired Susan. She died. She had fought a 17-month-long battle with cancer, which started as breast cancer. "Fuck cancer," as another friend and former colleague, Ginny -- a cancer survivor herself -- wrote on Facebook a day or two ago. All of us who worked and became friends with Susan, who appreciated her talent, intelligence, and kindness agree. We are angry and very sad. She didn't deserve that affliction.

At Saint-Aignan
Susan wrote a library of technical books and manuals over the years. She was prolific, and almost intimidating, by dint of of her drive, talent, and accomplishments. She acted as if it was all no big deal, but those of us who did that kind of work knew different. Her accomplishments were awesome, and she seemed to manage it all with ease. And she never lost her sense of humor, her cheerfulness, her modesty, or her caring nature.

At Villesavin
She came to work at Claris (Apple's software subisidiary), where I worked, sometime between 1992 and 1995, as an independent contractor. It's hard to believe that was more than 20 years ago. Claris laid me off in 1998, when Steve Jobs closed the company down. Susan had long moved on by then. I took a year off work, and then found a job as a technical writer at another company.

Susan instead took a position as a manager at a start-up company, setting up a whole new department. She got in touch, or I did, and we had lunch together a time or two. She asked me to think about coming and joining her new group. She had put together a talented team, made up of some writers I had worked with before, and others who I am happy now to have gotten to know and to have worked with back then.

Susan and Walt taking photos at Amboise
It took me six or eight months to get to the point where I felt comfortable leaving my the job I had taken on only a year earlier. I felt had to finish the project I was working on. When it was done, I called Susan and told her I was ready if she still had a place for me. She said yes, come talk. I did, and in June 2000 I joined her team. We worked together for about two more years before our start-up was sold to yet another company, she in turn got laid off, and, several months later, I threw in the towel. My career was over.

Susan clowning around at Chaumont
Susan's wasn't, however. She worked for another couple of companies, very successfully, for 10 more years. And then, in late 2013, she was diagnosed with cancer. I saw pictures of her on Facebook so I realized what was going on. The clue was the head scarf. She went public last December. She must have known what was going to happen. Five months later she is gone.

Near Vouvray
Susan and her husband, Ray, came to Saint-Aignan for a visit in March 2006. Our 14-year-old dog, Collette, had died two days earlier. I really didn't feel I was in any shape to entertain anyone, but with Susan it was all very natural and comfortable.

Actually, Susan entertained us during those dark  days. Looking back at the photos reinforces the positive feelings I have about that time, even though we had experienced a big loss. Susan helped us get on with our life.

Susan (a.k.a. Susie) arrived in Saint-Aignan first, and we toured around for three or four days before Ray got here, saving the major chateaus for his arrival. Meanwhile, Ray had been on a tour of the battleground sites of World War II's Battle of the Bulge, in Belgium. His father had been part of that military campaign back in the 1940s.

Susie and Ray at Chambord on a sunny day...

While they were here, I took the photos of Susie and of the both of them that are in this post. It was their first trip to the Loire Valley, if I remember correctly. I didn't publish these photos back then. Now is the time to do so. Susan's funeral is today, Tuesday, April 28, 2015, in Oakland, California. I wish I could be there, but it isn't possible. She was one of those people who was always there for you, and it's hard to imagine that she is not there any more. My heart goes out to Ray and to all of Susan's friends and loved ones.

...and at Chenonceau in the rain

These are my memories, for the record. You have yours too, I'm sure. Cherish them.

Don't forget that you can click or tap on any of the images to see them at a larger size. Think about the good times. Here are a couple of other blog posts — this one and this one — about that time in all our lives.

31 comments:

  1. Dear Ken,

    Thank you for this beautiful tribute to Susan. I'll give Ray your condolences when I go to the funeral with Jill and Ben. We'll all treasure our memories of a dynamic, vibrant woman. It's so hard to accept that we won't see her again. Hugs to you. Ginny

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    1. Susan was an exceptional person in many ways. It's very sad to lose her at such a young age. I believe she was younger than I am. A lot of people are nowadays...

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  2. A lovely tribute, Ken, to a dear friend and colleague of yours....
    looking at these pictures something tells me that she wouldn't want you to be down...
    cook a special something for you and Walt to share... and listen to music you all liked or knew....
    and celebrate this bubbly looking persons life.
    Thoughts are with you both and her husband Ray...
    it is the ones left behind that need healing too!

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    1. When Susan was here, we cooked a zucchini & cheese soup that we really enjoyed with garlic croutons floating on top. I should make that again, just to remember those good times.

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    2. Most definitely. I bet you still have some zucchini in the freezer from last year's crop. Keep the warm thoughts flowing.

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    3. I do have some and it's on the menu for this week.

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  3. So sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, Ken. She sounds like one of life's very special people and you will miss her.
    I feel for her husband, losing her at this age, when they might have been looking forward to enjoying retirement together.
    When this happens it makes me realise how precious life is, especially at our time of life. We need to make the most of every day.

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    1. Agreed, Jean. Ray is on my mind. He and Susie didn't have children. He does have an extended family of relatives and friends, I'm sure. It must be a tough time for him.

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  4. I'm so sorry you've lost such a dear friend, Ken.

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    1. It's always upsetting with such a young, energetic, smart person leaves this Earth.

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  5. My memory is not as good as it used to be, but it's likely I met Susie when your were at Claris. I met quite a few of your friends and colleagues in those days. But, I do remember her commenting on your blog. Always pleasant, even funny, caring and to the point. I'm sorry for your loss, that I share in some way since she was one commenter I remembered and enjoyed reading.

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    1. Yes, CHM, Susie didn't comment very frequently, but her comments were always positive, interesting, and humorous. You might have met her at Claris but I can't remember. I worked closely with her from June 2000 until 2002 or so. Her visit here with her husband, Ray, was a pleasure in March 2006.

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  6. so sorry for your loss Ken....makes one appreciate life every single day

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  7. I am so very sorry about the loss of your friend. This was a very special tribute to her today. I lost a brother who was 34 to cancer back in '91. It is a very ugly and indiscriminate disease.

    I know what you mean about time passing. I retired in June 2006. I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. Reading your post today reminds me of how much I need to get on with doing all the things I want to do!

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  8. So sorry to hear about Susie. I'm sure this tribute will be a comfort to Ray and all who knew her. You will always have these good memories, but there will always be the sadness that comes when we lose someone too soon. For the record it will be one fine day when modern medicine stops cancer for good. Take care and thanks for your words and photos.

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  9. What a shame you lost her. RIP

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  10. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. From the pictures one can see what a lovely person she was, full of appreciation for life, full of humor. I am so sorry.

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  11. Thanks, Ken, for this nice tribute to Susan. She was an amazing person. I also cannot be there today, but your words and pictures will help me remember her through the day.

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  12. So sorry to hear that your friend died so early, from a devastating disease. She made an impression going through life, and I can tell there are many people who loved her.

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    1. I've learned today that the breast cancer was cleared up, but the cancer spread to her liver, and that was fatal.

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  13. Thank you for this lovely tribute, Ken. Susie was one remarkable person and I, like everyone who knew and loved her, can't really imagine this world without her. ~~Ellen

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  14. Ken I am sorry for your loss. She sounds like a kind and accomplished person.

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  15. Oh, Ken, I'm so sorry to hear about this. I'm sure I remember seeing comments now and then that must have been from her. So very sad.

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  16. What a lovely tribute to a kind woman.
    We left your house a day or two before Colette died that year, so Susan and Ray were right behind us.

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    1. Yes they were, Chris. We knew the schedule, but we didn't know that Collette would have a serious stroke that Sunday when we drove you and T. up to Blois and had lunch there before you caught your train to Paris. We came back to find the poor dog half paralyzed. And then she died on Tuesday. Susan arrived on Wednesday, if I remember right. Susan really distract us from our grief over losing Collette after nearly 14 years of having her as a member of our household.

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  17. I hate that this seems to be a recurring theme for us d'un certain age. It sounds like your friend had a full life and I suppose that is all we can ask for. Your blog entry is a wonderful tribute to her.

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  18. So sorry to hear of the loss of such a good friend, Ken..Cook that zucchini/cheese soup this week and celebrate her life.

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  19. A moving tribute to your cherished friend. Sue

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  20. Thanks to all of you for your kind comments.

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