Jessica Suzanne Arroyo

From a holiday party at GLI

Sue, you have enriched so many lives with your passion, CamCat books. You not only brought together an amazing team and a unique and vibrant publishing company, but your dream gave life to the dreams of over one hundred authors, and hopefully more to come. I hope you were aware of how much joy you sparked. You are sorely missed.

Our Dear Suzy,
How much we are going to miss your sweet smile, warm heart and beautiful laughter. Your love had no boundaries you gave without hesitation. We had a lot in common, our love for to sewing, decorating and looking for antiques. Those are memories I will treasure. Uncle Artie and I still chuckle that very large dining room table you sent us. I called you to let you know it was way too big for the house and your immediate reply was "give it to a good home, titi." What a warm heart you had. You were always thinking of strangers in need. We will always love and treasure our beautiful memories of you, our sweet niece. I know in our hearts we will see you in the Resurrection. With so much love, your titi Lucy and uncle Artie

The world has lost a bright star for now. But Sue´s contributions, literature, and memory will live on. I will be forever grateful for Sue´s role at the helm of CamCat Books and in helping to bring to reality the dreams of so many writers, myself included. I think of the words of the motto of her company, "Books to Live In," and her words about this. It seems to me that this was a reflection of her view of the world and her many contributions of the things that matter and bring meaning, that one cannot live without, that will last long after we are all gone.

"A book to live in is a book that brings joy or excitement or solace or hope - or all of the above. A book that reads so well you cannot put it down or forget. It´s the book that means so much to you that you want to pass it down to your kids, the book that´s so rich you´d take it on a deserted island, the book you simply cannot do without. That is a book to live in."

Thank you, Sue. You will not be forgotten.

I'll never forget how she changed my life forever. I had woken up at 5am and gotten dressed up with makeup on - the works - for the phone call she had scheduled with me at 6am (I was MST so it was a reasonable hour where she was), and she told me: "We loved your book and want to publish it." After a few moments of silence from my end as my brain stalled and I struggled to process this information, she said kindly, "you can scream now." It was the most beautiful moment. She was such an inspiration. Such a supportive and kind and fiercely passionate woman. The world is a dimmer place without her in it. Thank you for everything, Sue.

My dear Sue ...
A limb has fallen from the family tree ... GOD has you in his arms ... We have you in our hearts cherishing wonderful memories of you. You will be MISSED.

Titi Susie,
I´m so glad I was able to spend part of my spring break with you last year. I loved our Holden Beach trips. We´ll make sure Abbie is always loved. Ashley

Suzy, the world has lost a beautiful soul. But your memory will live on forever. I pray you´re at peace & that God is holding you tight. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Xoxo your cousin Emily

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always Titi Susie.

Sue fostered a sense of community among her authors, offering support and inspiration. She leaves a beautiful legacy.

I regret I never had the opportunity to spend time with Sue. Because from what I´ve been told, she was a breath of fresh air, a force of nature that defied the word fail, and when she set her sights on something, there wasn´t an obstacle large enough to stand in her way.

For more years than I care to mention, after struggling with this game called writing, Sue rescued one of my novels from obscurity, and I realized an opportunity I had long thought impossible. She was my angel on earth, a woman with a vision who saw potential not just dollar signs, and a talented writer in her own right.

Like all the others who have had the privilege to know Sue, I feel blessed and enlightened but tremendously heartbroken by her passing. She will be forever honored, and, who knows, perhaps someday soon, writers the world over will have the opportunity to win the "Sue Arroyo Literary Award".

Sue there was so much more to share, that I'll share some here. I remember playing with you in the rain when we were little, and taking walks along the tracks to the pond to feed the ducks. I remember Dad taking us to Sandy Hook to fish and we all didn't know what we were doing but it was one of the best memories from our childhood. You were always so smart. I remember in college struggling in one of my Comp Sci classes and calling you to walk me through the problem I was having and you making it so clear. All those car rides to the community pool where we laughed at changing the lyrics to Michael Jackson's Don't Stop to You Get Enough. The trip to Hollywood still makes all the cousins laugh. I remember our trip to Charleston where we both needed to lean on each other for some healing. So many memories I can go on and on. I'm very glad we connected again last year. Mom misses you terribly, but she is surrounded by love and support.

You accomplished so much and your legacy will live on with the family. Abbie is well loved. I pray you're at peace and that you and Dad are together. Until our family is reunited. My love to you. Evie

I met Sue in Athens Alabama when she joined the Canebrake Women´s Golf Association. Sue poured everything she had into the many activities she was involved in. Sue did not let not knowing something stop her - she just got busy and learned. Sue made so many friends in Athens and was always so proud of her girls.

Cousin... I will always remember your wit, intelligence, beauty & strong presence whenever you walked into a room. You may be gone from this world, but the beautiful memories will forever remain. You were truly a light and I am so saddened by your loss. May God bless you and hold you tight always. Xoxo Emily

I have great memories of my Sue. Coming to her house in Jersey and singing "My Sharona" from the Knack while Sue tried her best to keep a tune!
Or the summer when I was in her room and asked her what was she doing with the waist high pile of books she had near her bed during summer vacation. She stated, "I´m reading a book a day!" Or her Hardy boys and Nancy Drew collection. And when I could not understand algebra and she broke it down for me at Vicky´s basement with the huge chalk board we played with. She made me understand numbers with a unique passion and deliverance only Sue was capable of transmitting. There is no one that can be found in this world that compares to her unique mother goose nature with a full throttle quirky and loving sense of humor. She called me Uka. I love you Sue and you are always nestled deep in the space in my heart only fit for you.