erica posted a condolence
Friday, October 25, 2024
People say that it’s the little things in life that can make the biggest impact. When I think back of the impact my Aunt Sue made in my life, it was a series of little things. Loving gestures that made me feel secure, important, and most of all loved. I lived close to my aunt Sue for most of my life. My dad, her brother, would often say to me, “let’s stop over at Sue’s”. No plan, no call, just a stop over. Of course we were always happily welcomed, and whether she was in the garden or working on a 1000 piece puzzle that was spread across the entire surface of her coffee table, she would come over with a big hug and maybe a glass of iced tea.
My aunt was an exceptional educator in and out of the classroom. She taught me many things. Among them, I was taught how to sew and how to prune flowers to keep them vibrant. I continued to drop by unannounced well into my adulthood. Her door was always open and I was welcome, usually with a dog or two running to greet me as well.
I can’t remember a time when my Aunt Sue wasn’t there to support me. When I became a mom there were times I’d have to call her last minute and ask her to run down to the school to pick up my son because I was in traffic or worked late and wouldn’t make it in time. My son Luke has happy memories of sitting at Aunt Sue’s kitchen table as he ate a snack and she helped him with his homework when he was in the second grade. She dedicated her life to teaching kids. Kids who learned differently, kids who thought they had nothing of value to share with the world. Aunt Sue taught people that they had value, that they could succeed regardless of where they came from. Not everyone can teach those things. It takes a special person to make you feel important without saying a word.
I cannot remember a time when my aunt was not a part of my life. Even when she got sick, I would come over to sit in the living room like always and we would share space together. We shared a proclivity for Court TV and Law and Order.
Ever since I was told we lost my Aunt Sue, I’ve been reflecting on what she means to me and all the ways she contributed to the lives of all of us. I invite everyone reading this to do the same.
A tribute to the love and memory of Susan A. Dobson, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and educator. Loved dearly. She will be greatly missed.
