When we open an account on Facebook, we’re offered the opportunity to connect with people as friends. We get many friend requests, and some we accept, some we don’t. We also have the ability to ask others to become part of our friends list. Back in the days when I wrote for Squidoo, I had a little group of writers under the name of Squidoo Positivity on that social media site. All of the members were Squidoo writers and a few were Squidoo personnel. Susan Deppner and I became friends, though she was employed by Squidoo. Sadly, on Friday, September 29, 2017, Susan passed away from cancer she’d been fighting for months. This is a brief story of our friendship and of a life well lived.
Susan was a unique person. In a time when so many people hurl insults at each other, Susan offered kindness and love. She never turned away from her friends and she always helped everyone. If she couldn’t help with a problem, she would suggest someone who could. She was as dependable as the morning sunrise and the evening stars. If Susan said she would do something, you could take it to the bank. She was a steadying influence in my online life, and when Squidoo folded, I changed the name of our group to The Writer’s Door. As our membership grew, I found I needed more hands on deck, so I asked Susan if she would be an administrator for the group. I think she was a little surprised by the request, but said if I thought she could do it, yes she would. There was no doubt in my mind that she could do it, and so we began a closer working relationship.
In time, we talked about many things in private messages with each other; the group policies, our families, our thoughts on the world. We became close friends, not just colleagues. I knew her love and pride for her family and she knew the same about me. Her happiness with her family increased after she became a grandmother when her little grandson Jack arrived. She did the usual grandma thing as we all do and shared photos in our close group of admins. It was good to see the joy she felt over his birth.
Many times in our writer’s group, when I stumbled on getting something done or forgot something, she would jump in and fill in the gaps. She was my right hand and made me look good by just being her sweet, conscientious self. She never expected recognition or praise, but she earned it every day of her life. The Writer’s Door will never be the same without her, and neither will I.
With the passing of Susan, I feel I’ve lost a sister, because she meant that much to me. I knew her, not just as a Facebook friend, but as the beautiful person she was. I could always turn to her for advice about anything. There were several phone conversations between us, and she always sounded happy to hear from me, no matter what it was about. I carried her phone number with me when we went on trips, so that I could reach her in case of an emergency when I couldn’t get online. She had common sense and a caring, loving presence. I miss hearing that sweet voice. I know I will always miss her steadying, soothing, sweet presence forever.
RIP Susan Deppner, gentle soul. Yours was a life well-lived, and you are missed by so many of us who love you.
Nancy dear, those of us who were lucky enough to know Susan cherished her friendship and will never forget her. Your tribute stands as an ongoing memorial to this beautiful human being whom we continue to love long after her untimely passing.
Margaret, she truly was a unique person, one who we’ll never forget. Her calm, sweet manner of dealing with daily life was so endearing to me. I don’t know if she realized just how much she meant to me, but I miss her so much now. Thank you my friend, for reading my attempt at expressing my love for such a wonderful lady.
Susan was a dear friend. Another one of my many writing mentors. She is greatly missed.
Brenda, thanks! She was a dear lady and a dear friend. I miss her so much!
We will never forget Susan. I think of her often. Nice to re-read your tribute.
Thank you Brenda. She was a wonderful person and is sorely missed.
While I didn’t know her, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. She sounds like a lovely woman.
She really was a good person and a great friend, Nona. I miss her more each day. Thanks so much for your visit.
Nancy, What a beautiful tribute for Susan. Susan was the very first person to work with me when I joined Squidoo, she supported and gave me so much good advice. And, when Squidoo folded, Susan found me and followed my writing with continued loving support. I will never forget her.
Sam, I truly don’t believe I ever knew anyone as kind and good as Susan. I understand how she responded to you, it was Susan’s way. She was helpful, respectful and kind. As I said in my article, I think she was the best person I’ve ever known. Thank you Sam, for reading my inadequate attempt at describing how wonderful she was and what she meant to me. My hope is that someday we’ll see her again.
Beautiful dedication to a lovely, beautiful lady. Have to say that I still tear up almost daily thinking about Susan. I know you do as well of course. There’s an emptiness that can’t be put into words. I want to say so much, yet have no clue how to put it into words. Not being able to say goodbye has been the hardest, although I completely understand how that wasn’t possible. Susan was a light, is light. God speed Susan, hope you get to chat with my dad, you’d love him.
She was beautiful inside and out, Barbara, as you well know. Susan’s friendship was unconditional; not once did she ever walk away from it, and she always supported and stood by me, even if she didn’t always agree with me. I miss her daily, she was a great asset to our admin group, and a great friend.
There is this big hole in my heart, I can’t add anything to what has already been said, other than to know that if I could love Our Lord as much as Susan, that hole in my heart wouldn’t be so big, cause she’d be in there mending it. I too will miss a dear, dear friend.
Oh Olivia, I so agree with what you said, that Susan would be there mending that hole in your heart. I have one too, and I know the same thing. It’s the kind of person she was. I miss her with all my heart. Thanks for the visit and comment, my friend, on a subject near and dear to us.
Susan was my friend. She told me about Squidoo and I joined at her recommendation but our friendship went even further back than that. We were both on a group that gave support to those of us involved in online selling. As has been mentioned above, Susan was a peacemaker. If anyone on the group had a problem with another member, Susan was the reconcilator. My daughter and I visited with Susan when we were on a book buying trip to Arkansas. I was amazed at how tiny she was. She loved her family above all and especially her husband Chris. I was having problems with my IRS reporting. She said something about “My sweet IRS man.” I teased her that I would never call my IRS man sweet. Her husband Chris was her IRS man figured her taxes. I believe Susan is in Heaven with the Lord Jesus. She has no more pain and, although she misses her earthly family, she is surrounded by her heavenly family including the brother who died before her.
Carol, everyone who knew Susan, either personally or through the internet, mourns the loss of this fine lady. Your comment shows the depth of your friendship with her. I’m sure she’s reunited with those who have gone before and that gives us some measure of comfort. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and her family and other friends who had the privilege of sharing her life. I can only imagine the pain all of you must be going through. Those of us online who had the honor of having Susan as a friend, mourn her passing too. I believe everyone whose life she touched, benefited from it. For me personally, she will always be a cherished memory. Thank you for the visit and comment.
I knew Susan for over 10 years in an eBay group. She was such a sweet, caring person who always had a kind word for everyone. She will be missed by everyone who knew her.
Trish, thank you for your visit and comment. She was truly, as you say, a sweet, caring person and yes, I’ve never heard a harsh word from her about anyone. She is truly missed by all who knew her.
A lovely tribute. She was a lovely person, I will forever regret that I have lost the opportunity to know her better. 🙁
Tracey, I also regret you didn’t get to know her better. She was a good, caring, loving person that I’m grateful to have had in my life, even if only on FB. She counseled and calmed me many times when my temper got the better of me. She made me see situations with a more objective eye. She was a good friend and I will always miss her. Thanks for your visit and comment, my friend. 🙂 <3
Nancy dear, thank you for this beautiful tribute to our dear friend Susan. You captured her soul and her essence, her courage and grace, and the many other qualities that made her such an incredibly special person. My heart, like yours and the many others’ she touched, grieves for her loss and for her beloved family.
Margaret, I’m still dealing with the loss of our dear friend. Susan was a special lady in so many ways. She was my right hand in the group, but more than that, we were friends who talked about many things together. I will miss her forever, just as I miss my sister. Thanks for the visit and comment! 🙂 <3
Beautiful tribute to a lovely lady.
She really was Candy, and it’s so sad that we’re now without her. I know it’s the circle of life, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. She’s gone far too soon. Thanks for the visit, my friend. 🙂
This is precious – I know the time we spent knowing Susan was precious and am so grateful she was part of my life. I’m really looking forward to seeing her again in God’s kingdom, where she lives now. In fact, I’m pretty excited about it. Life here on earth is brief, but life there is eternal.
Linda, “when the roll is called up yonder,” I hope to be there. I know you and Susan will be. 🙂 Thanks for the visit and comment.
I’m at such a loss. Susan was such a kind spirit. Nancy, this is a nice tribute. No. Things will not be the same.
Thanks Dawn Rae, and you are right, things will not be the same. Susan was a gem, a friend who can’t be replaced. Thanks again, my friend. <3
I shall miss Susan for the rest of my life. She was a dear friend, a gentle soul with a calming force that could only be a reflection of the Holy Spirit that lived within her heart. I can honestly say I have never known anyone who exemplified Christ like attributes more than Susan. She loved deeply and was deeply loved. My life was greatly blessed because it was touched by her.
A lovely tribute Nancy!
Cynthia, thanks my friend. Susan was everything you said about her, and there were many of us who were blessed to have her in our lives. I know how you feel, because I feel that way too. She handled life with a grace and beauty I wish more of us had, myself included. Thank you again Cynthia, much love and sympathy for you on the passing of our friend.
Nancy, you have written a loving tribute to Susan and to your friendship. I met Susan through Squidoo, too, and yes, she was remarkable. She will always be remembered by me with fondness and as being one who was known as the “real deal” where friendship is concerned. Hugs to you, Nancy!
Ruth, thank you. Her friendship meant a lot to me, just as yours does. She was more than a FB friend, she was the “real deal” as you said. Thanks again, my friend, you are also the “real deal.” Love you! <3 <3
It is my pleasure to know and love the real you, too, Nancy. And good to see the comments working now, hooray!
Yes Ruth, it’s great to have it fixed, with a lot of help from a friend. 🙂