Susan Jeryl Robinson

1952 - 2019

Susan Jeryl Robinson

- - Susan Jeryl Robinson, 66, passed away January 15th, 2019, at Haven Hospice at JFK Medical Center, Edison, NJ, surrounded by her sisters. Born on May 24, 1952 in New York, New York, her parents were the late Betty Louise Robinson and Armstead Robinson.

After attending Plainfield Public Schools, Susan transferred to the Hartridge School for Girls in Plainfield in January 1968 during 10th grade. She and her sister were the first black students to integrate the school, and in 1970, Susan became the first black student to graduate from Hartridge (now known as the Wardlaw-Hartridge School). A graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts (BA in English and Drama), Susan also spent her junior year at Howard University in Washington, DC. After graduation from Smith, Susan became a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Susan embarked on a media career in radio at WERA in Plainfield. Moving to television, she worked as on-air talent and producer in the 70's at NJ Public Broadcasting. After leaving New Jersey, Susan made a permanent home in Manhattan.

In the 80's she was a producer at New York's WABC-TV, primarily for the variety program "Page 7" and "Kids Are People Too". There followed a stint as a producer at Boston's WNEV-TV for a magazine show called "Look". Along the way, Susan taught media seminars at the Institute for New Cinema Artists and Marymount Manhattan College, and wrote articles for the Amsterdam News and Unique New York Magazine as well. Susan changed gears in 1987 when she joined the New York law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP as a paralegal; she remained at Skadden for the rest of her career.

Susan had many talents, most notably her voice, her performance skills, and her creativity in art. She completed theatre training at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York. At Hartridge, Susan sang in the glee club and was a soloist in the Ten of Harts a cappella singing group, known for her performance of "Summertime". She was an enthusiastic member of the dance and drama clubs, and her musical interests saw her star in local musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar and productions by NJ's Parish Players. She toured Europe with the Smith College Choir as well.

Susan is survived by her sisters - Joan Robinson Gross (Calvin) of South Plainfield; Leslie and Tracey Robinson of Plainfield; Karen Robinson Hunte (Halman) of Pasadena, California; and a half sister - Elizabeth Robinson Henry of Somerset. She also leaves behind a niece - Rebecca Gross of Metuchen; two nephews - Paul Gross of South Plainfield and Ian Hunte of Pasadena; one grand nephew - David Gross of South Plainfield; and a host of relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Susan's name to Haven Hospice at JFK Medical Center, 65 James Street, Edison, NJ and the Department of Hematology/Oncology at Mount Sinai West, 1000 10th Avenue, New York, New York 10036. Service is Friday, February 1, 2019 at 6:00 pm at the Chapel of the Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, 142 Crescent Avenue, Plainfield NJ 07060. Arrangements by Brown's Funeral Home (www.brownsfuneralhome.net).