In Memory

Susan M. Getzendanner VIEW PROFILE

Susan M. Getzendanner

Gregg Dixon submitted:

Susan Getzendanner was working on an upper floor of the second tower of the World Trade Center on the morning of Sept 11, 2001. After the first tower was hit, she talked with her brother, Tom, who was working on a lower floor. They decided that it would be best to follow instructions and stay in the building. Tom survived but she did not. We lost a good friend on that day. I had visited Susan with my family in 1986 when she gave us a tour of the building. We also visited her NY apartment with some other Shaker friends as well as her CT cottage. I have a book of remembrances of Susan with contributions from friends from all phases of her life. She was an accomplished world traveler having made numerous trekking trips in the Himalayas.
One quote from that book:

“The events of Sept. 11 have changed all of our lives, but the added loss of Susan has made the tragedy
so painfully personal. Susan lived an incredible life – so full and rich. She is one who truly made a difference simply by taking her accepting, adventurous energy to so many parts of the world. And as hard as it is to do, I know she would want me to accept what has happened, and move forward to the next adventure … finding in that adventure an opportunity to learn more about the world.”




 
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02/20/11 04:29 PM #2    

Martin Joseph (Bud) Mullen

 

While working for Xerox Corp in McLean, VA. from 1989 to 2000, I remember having to call a company counsel in NY city with whom we leased copying equipment regarding contractual terms and conditions. The woman on the other end identified herself as "Susan Getzendanner", and, with that, I paused.  She again said who she was, and as I gathered my thoughts, I asked if she was from Shaker, etc. etc.

We had a wonderful, long conversation wherein we both recalled great experiences both at Shaker and in our lives after graduation.  As I recall, it was one of the easiest contract negotiations I had while at Xerox, and certainly one I will never forget. 

 


03/25/11 04:04 PM #3    

Lynn Selker (Lichtenstein)

            You ran and ran on the hockey field.  It was glorious, all the running, all the wind, all the icy cold weather, and, of course winning all the games, especially against the private schools, wearing that now ridiculous looking gym suit with the short skirt and shin guards that went up eight inches from the ankle.  You also excelled academically and were fun and interesting.  We were all present when you died—unknowing, linked.  We all saw the Towers come down with shock and wept—for all of them and as it turned out, for you.

                                                            Lynn Selker Lichtenstein

                 


05/19/11 10:58 PM #4    

Meredith Spencer (Foster)

On April 12, 1998, Meredith Spencer Foster (colored shirt) and I (glasses) enjoyed an impromptu but delightful evening and dinner at the NY apartment of her dear friend Sue Getzendanner  (on right), Meredith’s sister, Mary Jane Bolle (on left), and Gregg and Valerie Dixon (third and second from right). – Neal Foster

On April 12, 1998, Meredith Spencer Foster (colored shirt) and I (glasses) enjoyed an impromptu but delightful evening and dinner at the NY apartment of her dear friend Sue Getzendanner  (on right), Meredith’s sister, Mary Jane Bolle (on left), and Gregg and Valerie Dixon (third and second from right). – Neal Foster

---------------------------------------------------------

The two postcards below have been stuck with magnets on the door of our refrigerator ever since we received them from Sue in the late 1990s. The words that she then wrote suggest that she was on a personal spiritual journey that was very important to her.

“Nov. 7 or 8 [1998] – depending on where I am – Dear Meredith and Neal – Have just finished my 3 week holiday in Bhutan – visited many Dzongs*, temples and monasteries – also did a 12 day trek – that’s walking and camping - in the mts. to the north – Fantastic –Tough, hardy, happy people.  I still think of our evening together – It really lifted my spirits to be with you!   Love, Sue G.” *According to Wikipedia, a Dzong is a distinctive type of fortress architecture found in the former and present Buddhist kingdoms of the Himalayas: Bhutan and Tibet. The architecture is massive in style with towering exterior walls surrounding a complex of courtyards, temples, administrative offices, and monks' accommodation.

 “Nov. 7 or 8 [1998] – depending on where I am –

Dear Meredith and Neal – Have just finished my 3 week holiday in Bhutan – visited many Dzongs*, temples and monasteries – also did a 12 day trek – that’s walking and camping - in the mts. to the north – Fantastic –Tough, hardy, happy people.  I still think of our evening together – It really lifted my spirits to be with you!   Love, Sue G.”

*According to Wikipedia, a Dzong is a distinctive type of fortress architecture found in the former and present Buddhist kingdoms of the Himalayas: Bhutan and Tibet. The architecture is massive in style with towering exterior walls surrounding a complex of courtyards, temples, administrative offices, and monks' accommodation.

“29 NOV. 1999 Dear Meredith and Neal – Hope this finds you both well + happy – and planning another trip to NYC!  I’m just returning from 3 weeks in Nepal – trekking, camping, sightseeing, etc. – I love this part of the world – (people) You really should visit – you don’t have to trek!  Merry Christmas + Happy New Year.  Love, Sue Getz___” Caption on postcard = Mandala: is a Tantric meditation device. It is a visual aid for concentration and introvertive meditation leading to the attainment of insights and to activation of forces culminating in “Siddhi” supernatural forces, Mandala represents “Palace of Purity.” (Sue herself had doubly underlined these last three words of the caption)

“29 NOV. 1999

Dear Meredith and Neal – Hope this finds you both well + happy – and planning another trip to NYC!  I’m just returning from 3 weeks in Nepal – trekking, camping, sightseeing, etc. – I love this part of the world – (people) You really should visit – you don’t have to trek!  Merry Christmas + Happy New Year.  Love, Sue Getz___”

Caption on postcard = Mandala: is a Tantric meditation device. It is a visual aid for concentration and introvertive meditation leading to the attainment of insights and to activation of forces culminating in “Siddhi” supernatural forces, Mandala represents “Palace of Purity.” (Sue herself had doubly underlined these last three words of the caption)

 


06/06/11 09:52 PM #5    

Todd Fineberg

I was one of many of Sue Getzendanner's Shaker High friends.  She was a teriffic person.  She was a bright light, alive, vibrant, upbeat.  I got to know Sue through her friend, Mary Hays, and I kept in touch with Sue when she was a student at Wells College and I was at Cornell, both located on Lake Cayuga in Upstate New York.  I remain sad and in mourning for her untimely death.  I will always miss Sue and remember her.

                                                     Todd Fineberg

 

 


09/11/11 09:15 AM #6    

Ellen Eisner (Rocco)

I write on the 10th anniversary of Sue's death - 11 September 2011.- a date none of us will ever forget.  It is one of those dates - like the assassination of JFK - that none of our generation will ever forget.

I know where I was and what I was doing at the time but I never imagined that I would know someone who had lost their life in the Twin Towers. In fact, I only found out this year when I was looking through the class profiles before our 50th reunion.

I was never a close friend of Susan's - more an acquaintence - and at the end of High School I was a neigbour when we moved onto the same street. I was off to university the next year - and beside we already had our friends so we just nodded.

I was, however, always aware of her in Junior and Senior High and thought that she represented some of the best Shaker could offer - a good student and athlete. In 9th grade I was a 'Leader' - quite amusing really as I was anything but an anthlete. I can remember, however, a specific baseket ball game when we went away to play a very tough and very good team. We didn't have a chance. I have never tried so hard and played so well in my life. We lost but it didn't matter. I had found something in myself that I did not know I had. And the person I remember as the moving force was Susan Getzendanner.

I do not know what happened to her after High School and University. Like her I moved to New York after Uni and lived there for six years before I moved to London. I send her friends and family my best wishes.


08/17/13 04:16 PM #7    

Lynn Selker (Lichtenstein)

 

      My son sent me this today from the World Trade Center Memorial.

 


09/14/13 12:59 PM #8    

Lynn Selker (Lichtenstein)

 


09/11/23 12:48 PM #9    

Robert Bruton

Every year on this date, as well as during each year, I remember Susan and the terrible day in 2001.  Each year we have a memorial in a downtown park in Charlotte that has a flag for each of the people who parished.  Attached to the flag is a card with the picture of the person.  Each year I search out Susan's flag and say hi to her. 

It was a tragic day for all of our country. 

Continue to rest in Peace Susan. 

Bob Bruton 


09/11/23 06:35 PM #10    

Philip Padgett (Padgett)

Thank you, Bob. Susan has been on my mind all day, as she is every year on this date. One tiny collateral effect ofhat atrocity was that in retirement, I became a reservist with FEMA. In 2012, I was returning home from a depoyment to western Massachusetts fo Tropical Storm Irene.  Walking through the Hartford airport, I saw that the TSA checkpoint had suspended from its elevated desk an American flag with the names of all the innocents who were killed that day in itd stripes. After a couple minutes of me standing below him, the TSA agent asked what I was doing.

I replied, "Looking for my classmate."

I found her. Susan always will be with us.


09/12/23 12:23 PM #11    

Richard H. Brown

I can only echo all the sentiments of my classmates.  She an incredible person as well as an accomplished profesional and most of all a great person.  We are all better  for having known her. Rick Brown


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