A Tribute and Memorial to our friend, Susan Scott
August 31, 1965 - March 19, 2008
Writing friends of Sue's wrote to offer condolences and remember her:
Linda Barnett-Johnson:
"I had a very hard time writing this because I don’t feel that our friend and sister, Sue Scott, is gone. I still can’t believe it. Her Humorosity articles were priceless. Her sense of humor came across at all times, even when in pain. Not only is she a loss to all our poetry authors, but to everyone that has come in contact with her.
I met Sue when she joined our writing forums in 2002, before Long Story Short. I loved reading her stories because of her sense of humor. She always made me laugh. The following years were fun and enjoyable. We started Long Story Short ezine. When Gloria Pimentel left us as poetry editor, Sue took that on. I don’t know anyone that didn’t like Sue. Even when she was in pain, she would think about you and cheer you up.
Sue leaves her boyfriend, Jim, a sister, Lauri and husband, and her two cats. I know she loved those cats very much. She always joked about them getting up on the keyboard and writing their own messages, which she would translate. So funny!
See you again Sue. You will always hold a special place in my heart."
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Gloria Pimental (Former LSS poetry editor):
March 21, 2008
"Sue and I met through our good friend Linda Barnett-Johnson who has been a blessing in my life and was a true blessing on Sue’s life. I shared their excitement building up A Long Story Short, an E-zine for new and seasoned writers, from scratch. It was Linda’s dream but I wonder is she knows the healing power that her dream had on Sue. In Sue’s own words, “If it wasn’t for LSS I would probably have sat on my butt and never accomplished writing anything worth publishing. But there is Linda, always pushing, pushing, grrrrrrrr.”
Sue was a vibrant, intelligent young woman. She loved life, wanted to travel and experience new things. She had promised to visit with me. One of her wishes was to visit California sunny beaches and just hang out. We shared many things including writing. I hope she left her angels stories on paper and was able to finish her novels and memoir.
After I met Sue the word “Courage” took a new meaning. Even though she was blind, she kept her independence, something I admired very much. She always had an encouraging word for me and made me laugh with her attitude towards her own fears.
I will miss her but I know she is in a better place."
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Russell Bittner:
"Sad?" No, not sad. It's too much of a shock to be saddening. I simply don't want to believe it -- and trust that when I wake up tomorrow, I won't have heard any of this.
The good ones always go too early, Denise -- as I'm sure you already know.
Any "special memories?" Only that she was the snarkiest blind person I've ever known -- perhaps because she had to make do without vision, so never lacked for sight of the goal.
The moment feels too stupid and too inadequate to say more.
R.
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Denise Cassino:
"Sue was very funny and very wily, but also terribly sweet and loyal. She really pepped up our forum when she joined and she came up with the idea of starting our own writer's ezine. Then, when LSS was about 1-1/2 years old, we learned that several of our contributors belonged to Keegan's Bootcamp, a rigorous writing group that grinds out very good fiction under intense scrutiny from their leader and peers. We learned that they were laughing at us behind our backs because we publish beginners who we think have merit instead of only choosing la crème de la crème. We had a big dust up and learned they had been submitting under pen names making even more fun of us saying none of us could write, how could we be editors, etc. So Sue infiltrated their group under a pen name and won contests, was well published and played the mole role for a whole year without ever slipping up! She only told us about a year ago. She loved LSS and I think it really helped develop her writing skills and kept her very busy."
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Mark David Lutz
All I can say is that it was a good thing I was in my private office at work, it (Sue's death) hit me very hard. Someone so talented and such a delight - when things like that happen it is impossible to understand and reminds me of just how unfair life really is. Sue showed me just how deeply someone can touch someone elses' life. I'm just so grateful to have made the connection, and, of course, I'll treasure the few emails we shared.
Ron McCandish
- Sue -
We need more folks like Susan
To carry us away
Her sense of fun and humour
Brought sunshine to our day
How many times I witnessed
Laughter on my screen
Every member of our group
Will know just what I mean
Looking out my window
I know she's there tonight
Smiling from a glittering star
The one thats extra bright
I, and all who knew her
Shall miss her wit aand love
We'll dance and cheer and whirl around
With her someday above.
© ron McCandlish
(March 2008)
PLEASE SIGN SUE'S GUEST BOOK WITH SOME OF YOUR MEMORIES AND THOUGHTS OF HER. THANKS!
Ian Lipke:
It was just today that I heard the sad news of Sue’s passing. Although we’d never met in person, Sue and I were close friends. I feel really gutted that she has gone as I guess you and Linda do too.
I have a piece of nonsense that I wrote for Sue back in 2003. I called it a speculative biography, my excuse for telling whopping lies about Sue. However, it does contain many excerpts from Sue’s life. She opened up to me and told me much of what she was feeling and thinking as she faced the issues in her life.
WE HAVE A GREAT COLLECTION OF SOME OF SUE'S WRITING PROVIDED BY HER FRIEND,
IAN LIPKE
"I write because I literally have to or I'm miserable. On paper I can soar, the physical limitations of life fall away, become insignificant. And through words I can reach other people, perhaps make them feel the way I do, give them a glimpse into my soul. Writing is an amazing gift, one I appreciate and cherish. Where it will lead me I don't know, but when I get there I'll be ready. And I'll keep on writing."
