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Susan Sauer Obituary
Susan Sauer set goals for herself, and that applied to her wanderlust. She decided that she was going to visit 50 countries by the time she turned 50. That meant by November of this year. By her count, she had been to 48 as of last summer.
And an itinerary was in hand for a trip last fall that would have put her over the top. Her good friend, Clare Doyle, had to admit it was perhaps the wackiest itinerary she had ever heard of, but it did the job. Ms. Sauer was going to fulfill one dream by attending cooking school in Italy, a country she had already been to, then was going to stop for one day in Hungary, which would be No. 49, before winding up in Wales, No. 50.
Ms. Doyle teased her about whether Wales, being part of the United Kingdom, could rightfully count as a separate country, but she pointed out that Ms. Sauer had been to Czechoslovakia when it was one country, so maybe the math was O.K.
Ms. Sauer, a managing director at Marsh Inc., lived in Chicago and was attending a meeting at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. She had five nephews, whom she adored and treated as the perfect aunt would. A new interest was golf, which she had taken up a couple of years ago, in part because one nephew was in college on a golf scholarship. She was planning to participate in a golf trip to the Dominican Republic this month, and by then who knew how many countries she would have been up to.
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on February 3, 2002.
As a managing director for Marsh Inc., an insurance brokerage unit of Marsh and McLennan Cos., Chicagoan Sue Sauer "was quite passionate about what she did," , colleague Christopher Long recalled.
But, Sauer, 48, a native of Wheaton, had other passions. She loved to travel and hike. In her Chicago office are photographs of her against backdrops of mountains.
She golfed. She did needlepoint, and a few months ago, she attended the Culinary Institute in Napa Valley. She hung out with her five nephews.
Sauer graduated from Wheaton Central High School and Illinois State University. She had worked at Marsh since 1992.
Sauer, who was in Manhattan for a meeting, is among about 300 employees of Marsh and McLennan who are missing after the Sept. 11 attack at the World Trade Center.
"She always had a smile on her face and always maintained a positive attitude," Long said.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
A K
October 12, 2024
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. You made someone close to me very happy
vanessa
September 16, 2023
I was looking through victims names and picked somebody and get to know more about them and who they were. Susan seemed like such a wonderful woman, and I admire the goals and passions she had. Rest in paradise Susan!
Bill Berglund
December 7, 2021
I first met Sue early in her career, maybe in the late 1970s, before she joined Marsh. Don’t remember the company, but I was conducting a claims audit, and was impressed with her work, and mentioned it to some Marsh people. Years later I ran into her while I was working in NYC in the late 1990s. I was sorry to hear that she was in one of the towers on 9/11. She has been missed.
jim Sokolowski
September 10, 2021
classmates at Lowell school .tigers together at Wheaton Central. the good lord must have needed somebody real smart.
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November 12, 2019
Sue, you didn't die in vain at the Twin towers. May our Lord keep you safe.
Alexander
Valerie Seckler
September 11, 2019
Remembering Susan "Sue" Sauer, a classmate and fellow Tiger at Wheaton Central High School.
--Valerie Seckler, Sept. 11, 2019
Deborah Myer
September 12, 2018
Sue and I were roommates for a semester at Illinois State University our freshman year. She was a lot of fun and a great friend. Its
Susan Van Buren
July 25, 2018
I recall working with Sue during the late 80's at CCA in Chicago. She was smart, driven and a pleasure to work with. I will remember her always.
September 11, 2017
Tante Suzie,
16 years have gone by since we lost you on that horrendous day. Yet, the magic of your laugh, easygoing manners, and the accepting shrugs remain alive and well in my family's memories. We have not stopped loving you, our dear maid of honor, god-mother, and friend.
We will meet again,
Behrooz
Flowers for Sue from the Daichendts
Denise Daichendt
July 17, 2016
Always in our prayers
Joanne Eudy
January 14, 2016
Sue, still thinking of you and wishing you were here.
marty podolski
July 8, 2014
In my prayers
Susan "Sue" Sauer
March 1, 2013
I am sorry that I never knew this Sue Sauer from Wheaton. When this tragedy happened someone asked my husband if his wife was the one on the list. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved her. <3
Dan Conley
February 11, 2013
Last weekend I brought my high school daughter and her friend to New York. We visited the World Trade Center site where the new tower is under construction, and then to the memorial. On an American flag names of the 9-11 victims are printed and among them Sue's. I pointed her name out to them and told them that I had worked with Sue at J&H while consulting to the Chicago office. Up until that point the tragedy was an abstraction to them- after all my daughter was walking to her first day of nursery school that morning. Suddenly their whole demeanor changed as there was real connection to a real person. Even though they never knew Sue I asked them to remember her and others that suffered terribly before losing their lives, without justification.
Trish Maher
September 12, 2011
Met Sue through golf and eventhough I did not know her well, remembered her beautiful spirit and lovely smile while watching the 9/11 tributes - she will never be forgotten
Samuel Schultz
January 22, 2009
On September 11, 2002 my wife attended a memorial service for the lives lost one year earlier. Due to her schedule she arrived at the service as it was ending and the crowd dispersing. Slips of paper had been handed out to the attendees of the service each with a name of a person that had perished during the attack. A lady was about to throw her slip of paper in the trash when my wife stopped her and said that she would take it. The slip of paper had “Susan Sauer” printed on it. She brought the slip home and asked me what we should do. We both agreed that it could not be destroyed. That slip of paper was placed on top of some small, smooth stones in a shallow stainless steel dish and to this day is with our other keep sakes.
I know that Susan has family and friends that love her and that Susan returned that love in kind. Though our paths never crossed my wife and I will celebrate Susan’s life.
Doug Abraham
November 30, 2007
Happy belated Birthday!!!
kristine
May 9, 2007
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
March 2, 2007
In memory....
Jane Haag
September 10, 2006
I was a room-mate of Sue's at Illinois State university with 3 other girls in 1973-1974 on North Fell St. I did not know till last year when Lou P. told me Sue had been at the WTC that day. Sue was a great person and alot of fun to be around. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends. Please know I think of her often.
Charl-Jo Barker
September 13, 2002
My son Dallas Barker was lucky to receive Sue's name at a tribute/memorial service in San Diego, Ca. He called out her name in pride and then rung the "Freedom Bell" in her honor on September 11, 2002. When we got home he asked me to find a photo of her so he could put a face to the name that he had received. We were lucky to find what a giving person she was.
Sincerely,
The Barker Family
Janet Ervin
September 12, 2002
A year has passed and Sue's death is still as shocking today as it was a year ago. My thoughts and prayers have been with Mrs. Sauer, Barb (my childhood friend), and Joe over the past year.
Sue was an exceptional person from an exceptional family. I wish I could have known the woman Sue became instead of as "Barb's little sister."
Sue Tonyan
September 11, 2002
A year has gone by yet every day I think of Sue. I have learned from this that we can't put off getting together with loved ones. Time is precious.
Colin MacAllister
April 25, 2002
I was privileged to work for Sue for about six months in '98. She was, above all, an alert thinker and fair. She showed great confidence in me, and her respect helped me to find strength and maturity in myself that I didn't know I had.
My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
April 22, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL YOUNG WOMAN..SUSAN (SUE) SAUER AND MAY HER SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA..NEW YORK AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ILLINOIS..MAY JESUS AND HIS SAINTS GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Sue Tonyan
March 13, 2002
Sue & I met at ISU. She took care of the guestbook at my wedding. I still have a "best friends" card from over 23 years ago from her. I was devastated when Ginger called to say Sue would not be at the Friends Day event I planned as a reunion. I also lost my ISU roommate Stephanie Zippay. My hope is that they both know how often I think of them and how special they were to me. I pray we all meet again.
Jean (Hanover) Fitzpatrick
March 13, 2002
I learned of Sue's death only yesterday when I received the latest issue of the ISU alumni magazine. Sue lived in the dorm room next to mine during our freshman year at Illinois State. We had lost touch over the years, but through another dorm buddy (Sue Hart Tonyan) we were talking of having a mini-reunion. How sad I am that we will not be able to do so now.
As I read the other entries in this guest book, I can see that Sue was able to accomplish much and touch many people throughout her life. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and all who knew her.
Karen Brown
March 7, 2002
As we approach the six month anniversary of the 9-11-01 diaster I can't tell you how often Sue, her sister Barb (my friend) and her entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. I had the pleasure of meeting Sue when she visited Barb and her family here. I know that everyone who knew he well miss her deeply.May God bless each and everyone of you.
Barb McAdams
February 6, 2002
The tributes to Sue are terrific and we're happy that these people took the time to memorialize her. Her vitality, enthusiasm for life and care and concern for her family and friends are what those who knew her well will remember most about her. Sue loved her job, loved to travel and loved to cook and do needlepoint, but most of all she loved to do things with her family. When my youngest son wanted Sue to take him to a golf tournament in Florida, she did, by way of the Cayman Islands. She was always doing for her nephews, sending care packages, taking them on trips, lending a hand and a heart.
Sue was a wonderful sister and a true friend. She lived her life well and we were blessed to have her as a loving member of our family. Au Revior, Sue.
Mary Ann (Mittman) Brummel
February 5, 2002
My deepest sympathy goes to Sue's family- mom Margaret, sister Barb & brother Joe. I was their baby-sitter many many years ago from the time that they were all born. It is very tragic to lose a one's child, brother or sister, especially in this senseless way. May God be with you all.
Judy Close
January 15, 2002
May you rest in peace, Sue. I'll always be grateful to her for helping me out with my NYU honors thesis project -- which involved interviews with many top women executives at Johnson & Higgins. I had a telephone interview with her because she was based in J&H Chicago. She shared her working experiences with me for that final honors paper I submitted. At J&H Corporate Communications, I used to mail out many of the articles Sue had written on Workers' Compensation because she was our J&H in-house expert. Marsh was sure lucky to have her work for them. And, on top of everything else about Sue that was so good to know and remember--she was down to earth and never carried away with her status as a woman at the top of her game in the mostly male insurance industry--at a young age, too. Thanks for the very nice memories, Sue. (By the way, I got a very good mark!!) You're (and your family) in my prayers.
Judy Close, Woodhaven, NY
Judy Close, Woodhaven, NY
Patricia Waters
January 2, 2002
I had the opportunity to work with Sue when she worked for J&H and although a national resource person, was based in Chicago. I was a broker for J&H's inhouse wholesale, also based in Chicago.
She impressed me from the first time I met her, she was a dynamic employee who really knew her business, a wonderful speaker and a great ambassador for J&H (now part of Marsh).
My sincere condolences to her family. She must be missed so much by family, friends and Marsh.
Teresa Jahn
December 13, 2001
We are very sorry for your loss of Susan. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Amy Wareham
December 11, 2001
I got a bracelet with Sue's name on it from my church, Harvest Christian Fellowship. I have counted it a privillage to pray for you ever since. It brings a tear to my eye to read what you all have written about Sue. It sounds like she was quite a remarkable woman!
If any of you have any special prayer requests that you would like me to pray for, please feel free to e-mail them to me any time. It would be an honor to lift your needs to the Lord in prayer! May God confort you in abundance and fill your heart with His love.
Love,
Amy
Jenny Arfman
December 11, 2001
To Sue's family:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalms 34:18
"God will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways."
Psalms 91:11
With love from the family of God. :-)
Love,
Jenny
Jenny Arfman
December 11, 2001
Thank you for allowing me the oportunity to pray for all who care for Sue. May God bless and keep you all close, in his watch. You are in the hearts of all of us. with love from around the world,love jenny :)
John Goldberg
November 23, 2001
I spent most of my career with Johnson & Higgins, and had the good fortune to live and work both in and outside the USA. Sue came along, and immediately, she re-focussed a major part of our client's business practice. Late in my career I had the pleasure of working with Sue as she molded what became "The Total Cost of Risk". Her passion for excellence, her attention to detail, and her untiring work ethic left most of us simply in awe. You are missed dear Sue. May God bless you and your family.
Barb Sauer-McAdams
November 13, 2001
My sister Sue was a wonderful, talented professional woman who valued her family, her career and her multitude of friends. Sue was a multi-dimensional person, always seeking ways to mentor young women in her company, looking for methods to improve the excellent service provided by her company to its clients, entertaining her family and friends with her exceptional cooking talents and being a "one-of-a-kind" aunt to her nephews. She took my youngest son to the Grand Cayman Islands last year on their way to one of his golf tournaments in Florida, and sent the same nephew a care package which arrived at his college post office the day after she died. She was a caring, giving, funny, happy person who enriched the lives of all whom she met. I miss you more and more each day, Sue! Love, Barb
Mary (Minor) Jacobs
October 28, 2001
My Mom told be about the Memorial Service that would be held for Susie in Wheaton, IL on 10/27/01, my heart broke all over again. I went to school with Susie's sister, Barb. My heart broke at the thought of Barb, her brother, Joe and her Mom having to go through this terrible pain of losing a beloved sister. Their hearts must be crushed. I can only imagine Susie and her Dad embracing in Heaven.
I will be praying for you all, that God keeps and comforts you in the palm of his hand today and always.
Mary (Minor) Jacobs
Tanya Paullin
October 12, 2001
I worked with Sue at Marsh in Chicago and enjoyed talking with her regarding her travels throughout the world and her experiences with cooking schools and receipes. I miss her ready smile and pleasant greetings.
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