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Dear PACA Community,
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart I write to let you know that Susan “Suze” Race passed away on August 5th. Services were at theMount Ararat Cemetery in Farmington, New York on August 7.
And yet it is with much joy – and a huge smile – that I wish to encourage you to celebrate Susan Race’s life as well. The prayers, support and outpouring of love for Susan on our PACA listserv are a genuine reflection of Susan’s grace, energy and caring for all of us. Her presence and spirit, as so many have stated, are still having a deep and profound affect on us, that’s for sure.
Many of you know that Susan was a long-time coach, founding member of PACA, and consummate volunteer in our community. In addition to serving as a PACA Board member and chairing the Coaching Week Committee, Suze donated her time on our Board Nomination Committee from 2005 to 2007 and was an inspirational speaker at our most recent PACA Collaboration Event.
Personal Memories . . .
Perhaps unsurprisingly, many in our community have shared their feelings and memories about Suze on our message board, and I would like to share some of these that reflect the spirit of Suze:
. . . “a vibrant, beautiful and warm spirit”
. . . “huge smile, sparkling eyes, and boundless enthusiasm”
. . . “true collaborator”
. . . “her dazzling ‘Coach’ pin”
. . . “every time I saw her she made me feel like I was really special”
. . . “was a wonderful support to me as I began my coaching career - so generous and warm”
So, in honor of Susan’s delightful spirit, energy, enthusiasm and exceptional contribution to PACA, there are two things that I’d like to announce:
First, our Volunteer of the Year Award will be renamed:
The Susan Race Volunteer of the Year Award
The recipient will be announced at the
PACA 10th Anniversary Gala on October 16, 2008
Pictures of Our Past, Visions of the Future
Please join us at the 10th Anniversary
Gala, which will kick off 12 months of celebrating and when
we'll celebrate Susan Race's life, our journey together,
and our fine community too!
Secondly, we've also arranged
for a special memorial phone call on Thursday, August 28th
at 7 pm EST.
This call is for the PACA community
and beyond - so that as many people as possible whose lives
were touched by Susan are able to share in remembering Susan.
Thursday, August 28th at 7 pm EST
Call on PACA Bridge Line: 712-429-0700
Participant PIN: 343865
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