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Susan Mary Kane
1951 - 2016
Susan Mary Kane
1951 - 2016
Obituary
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Susan Kane Obituary
May 14, 1951 - Feb. 14, 2016
Campbell, CA
Our beloved Susan passed into eternity on February 12, 2016. She was the mother of Scott R Chicotka, a Surgeon in NYC, NY; Brett J Chicotka, a Senior Product Development Engineer in Chicago, IL; and Catherine M. Chicotka, a senior at San Jose State University; and the wife of Richard J Chicotka, IBM retiree.
Susan was born on May 14, 1951 to John and Catherine Kane in Danbury, CT. She received her parochial school primary and secondary education in Danbury, graduating from Immaculate High School. Ahead of traditional women's roles in education, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Physics from Newton College of the Sacred Heart in Massachusetts and a Master of Science in Physics from Vassar College in New York.
Employed by IBM since June 4, 1973 she was a lifetime employee of some 42 years; and during her career made many important contributions including several patents and numerous scientific publications, talks and seminars in fundamental research and development in science and technology, the development of process technology for semiconductor devices and applications, data storage device and process development, and software development. Her career spanned assignments in the Research Division at The Thomas J Watson Research Center in Westchester County NY, the East Fishkill Semiconductor Development Division in Hopewell Junction, NY, the Data Storage Technology Division in San Jose, CA, and her last assignment in Big Data and Analytics Division in Santa Teresa, CA, where she was Software Development Manager.
Susan was a devout Catholic and was a member of Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Los Gatos, CA. She loved and cherished her family and friends. Truly a devoted and beneficent mother, wife and family member, Susan always had a cheerful and positive outlook, exceptional intellect and with an extraordinary gift of communication. She is survived by her immediate family, and her sister Alice (Candy) Kane Rice of Fairfield CT, her brother John Kane of Vienna VA and her brother Mark of Florida.
Funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 19, 2016 at 2:00 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church 229 Bean Ave. Los Gatos, Ca. under direction of Darling-Fischer Chapel of the Hills, Los Gatos.
Susan Mary Kane Chicotka will continue to be loved and in our hearts forever.
View the online memorial for Susan Mary Kane
Addi Jamshidi
February 11, 2024
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
Addi Jamshidi
February 24, 2016
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.
========
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
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Shahneela Rahman
February 21, 2016
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.
Wray Morales
February 19, 2016
GOD speed Susan and my condolences to your family. Will be seeing you soon. RIP.
Valerei Dunn-Rasmussen
February 19, 2016
I will always remember your laugh. RIP sue..
Walter Alvey
February 19, 2016
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.
February 19, 2016
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.
February 18, 2016
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)
Eileen Sutton
February 18, 2016
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.
February 18, 2016
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
February 17, 2016
A ray of sunshine. Sending our sympathy, The Sackles family
February 17, 2016
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
Darling Fischer Chapel of the Hills
February 16, 2016
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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