Susan Mary Kane

Though eight years have spun by since Susan's passing, her spirit lingers in the patterns she etched on our souls. Her kindness, warmth and sincerity didn't fade with her absence, but rather, continue to influence our laughter, teamwork, and approach to work. She wasn't just "stuff" that abides, but a force that perpetuates - her legacy ripples on, a testament to the enduring power of a life well-lived. On her anniversary of passing, we celebrate the patterns she left behind, finding solace and inspiration in the knowledge that love, joy, and wisdom transcend time.

With heartfelt remembrance,
Addi Jamshidi

My most sincere deepest condolences to Susan's family and friends.

I had the privilege and honor of knowing Susan professionally for over ten years. I did not interact with her on a daily basis nor worked with her closely - and yet every time I saw her or talked to her it was as though I was in the presence of a dear close family or friend whom I always viewed as being there forever. She was in a way an institution for us at IBM whom we always relied for help.

I had written the following letter for Susan's retirement book. I am not sure if she ever got my letter. I know she is watching from heaven and hence writing it to you Susan even though I know you already know of all these...


Susan,

It is hard for me to genuinely express how much I consider knowing and working with you an honor that I cherish for the rest of my life. You belong to a special very rare class of professionals with a unique management characteristic that is a combination of autocratic, paternalistic, and democratic - all at the same time. As I am writing this one of my all time favorite T.V shows comes to mind: The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and one of the most charismatic characters of the show was that of Lou Grant. He projected a management-employee working relationship that combined a loving autocratic, paternalistic, and democratic style that was unique in every sense of the meaning of the word "unique". I am not sure if you ever watched the show but if you did you may recall the very first episode where Mary is hired by Lou Grant and he tells her in a harsh autocratic tone: "Just remember.. I am never wrong. I never make mistakes. If you don't like me, I fire you. If I don't like you, I fire you".:)- All said while at the same time also showing and expressing a family warm feeling of attitude toward her that was a reflection of a gentle soul and pure heart. The Lou Grant management style is what you have come to represent to me. A unique style that establishes respect not because of manager-employee / colleague relationship, but simply because of the humanity of the gentle soul and heart that one can easily see through. And this is how you always are in my mind.

I recall the first time I got myself into trouble with you (and yes.. there were a few times) when I was contacting IBM IP attorneys directly to get answers quickly but only to find out they had gone behind me and complained to you to get me off of their back! And it was the first time I came to get a somewhat harsh warning/lecture from someone at IBM. It was hard for me to listen and yet I could not help myself but not to say a word or object to anything you were telling me. And it was because of the special charismatic manner in which you were instructing me to follow. I did not go to those lawyers anymore - but it was not because of you as an authoritarian figure telling me in an absolute autocratic manner as what not to do, but as someone whom I came to tremendously respect for the humanity, and pure gentle soul and heart that came through and spoke volume for you wanting the best for me.

Yes.. indeed it is hard for me to express it, but only to say that after being in this business of engineering for over thirty years and seeing so many professionals and managers, I can indeed say that you belong to a very unique and rare breed of managers that do not come by very often: the special class that everyone wants to please and abide - but not because of the employee subordinate hierarchy that has been put in place, but simply because of everything that you so deeply reflect for the humanity that is engraved and written all over your pure inner being.

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I know you are in absolute peace and joy where you are now. It is just that for those of us whose lives you have touched, we need to deal with the feeling of tremendous loss and "missing" till we meet again...

-addi

I worked for Susan from 2007-2009 and then again from 2011-July 2015. Even though she was on leave of absence, we always hoped that she would come back to work. She was the kind of manager that left you alone to do your job but always stepped in if you needed help. She was not afraid to push back and she always protected her team. Every year we would discuss whether she would retire or not and every year she would tell me that she was not ready for retirement as she loved working with our team (and she loved shopping too much :).

I will miss her big smile, her candor and mostly her willingness to listen and offer advice whenever we needed it. We all feel that we not only lost a co-worker but a friend that was always there for us.

GOD speed Susan and my condolences to your family. Will be seeing you soon. RIP.

I will always remember your laugh. RIP sue..

Susan helped hire me into my current position and was my manager from about year 2000 to 2002. Everyone in the department liked her and liked working for her. We especially appreciated that she was always up-front and honest in her communication and had a great sense of humor. Even though she and I had not worked together since about year 2002, whenever we passed in the hallway, she always said hello and asked how I was doing. I always felt she was someone I could go to and talk about anything. I will really miss seeing her.

Susan was a good friend and housemate during our senior year in college. She was the first of our friends to get a job and she was so smart. A physics major at Newton College and possibly the only one in our class. She was also so much fun. We lost touch after college but I feel blessed that we were friends. My sympathy to all those who loved her.

Susan was the best manager that anyone could ask for, and we miss her very much. We think of her often and she will always hold a special place in our hearts!

Shahneela, Mona, Anita & Debby
(Susan's release team)

Susan was a classmate of mine at Immaculate High School and a lovely person. She had a gentle, quiet way of expressing herself and I recall that she was very religious. I can never remember her saying a mean thing about anyone. It certainly appears that hers was a life well lived. Rest in peace. Condolences to her family.

My deepest sympathy to Susan's family. I met Susan at IBM, where she was always a pleasure to work with. We became friends outside work and enjoyed lunch together, coffee, walking our dogs, etc. I am grateful for our friendship and memories, and I'll miss her.

Sincerely, Lorri Paulsen

A ray of sunshine. Sending our sympathy, The Sackles family

I'd like to offer my deepest sympathies to Susan's family and close friends. I had the pleasure of working for her at IBM in two different organizations. She consistently brought a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to the projects she managed and conducted herself with honesty, integrity, and dedication. She will be missed.

Sincerely, Cindy Saracco

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.