Susan Campbell Frankenberg

Thinking about Susan this week as Hillsborough endured the Debby storm. When I moved to Hillsborough in 1983 Susan quickly enlisted me into docent days for Christmas and Garden tours, Burwell school events, Visitor Center duties - hard to say no to her enthusiasm and wit.

Then the Hurricane Fran came through town in 1996 and we found ourselves at Bojangles (electricity was on there but not downtown) getting coffee and sharing experiences of our properties. Susan and I both lost more than 100 yr old pecan trees - neither damaged our houses! We both mourned; but Susan had an announcement that surprised Dirk and myself. She needed a robe as soon as possible.

Her pecan enabled her to come and go to her bathroom shower uninhibited by the open unblinded window. She was not happy about the pending lack of freedom. She had already decided it was necessary to plant the fastest tree possible - a sycamore was the best solution to her dilemma, she believed. I laughed at her quick problem solving and her understanding of what we had just lost. Tears and laughter - always.

I dearly miss Susan driving by my house each evening at twilight--we would wave. I have known her since I first moved to Hillsborough in 1991 and she helped me get a foothold in the antiques business, I still wave to you each evening my friend.

We knew Susan from my repair shop and going out and seeing Susan at various dinner places .truly a shock for us to hear .our prayers and thoughts are with the family.Stephen and Marla Talbert

Our last visit when I brought her to my home in Glencoe Village in Burlington. I am so happy to have had such a fun trip together. We had lunch together on our return. We smiled and we laughed and it was a wonderful time to see only a few weeks ago.
I have known her since we met at church in 1980. We did so much together there. I lived close by and we had many mornings drinking coffee together working on church project projects. I´ve never known such a wonderful lady and my life has been truly blessed to have known her.

Ever since I heard about Susan's fall, when I've passed her house I've thought about her and what a presence she was in our neighborhood. If you were walking and she passed you in her car, you could count on not walking as far as you intended, but being rewarded by great conversation, and a touch of gossip. We shared a background in Alabama where I was born but only lived 4 years. More imporantly, we shared politics in NC and the US. We also shared the challenges of backyard groundhogs. Susan was better at dealing with them than my husband and I have been. Susan will be missed for sure. Our condolences to Elizabeth, Eben, and their families. Kay and Phil Singer

Susan's first pointed question when we moved in across the street was, "You don't plan to feed the deer, do you?" She was pleased that we didn't, and we got along smashingly from there. We could always rely on her for the latest neighborhood news or a good backstory - she seemed to know everything and everybody in Hillsborough. Susan was so kind and generous with us and our girls. I will miss sitting having a chat while the kids splash around in her pool. When she was closing her antique storeroom we brought home some brightly colored wooden painted wings and hung them in our living room; I will think of her when we see them. The best of neighbors. We all will miss her.

Susan sold us -- new Hillsborough old house homeowners -- a centennial dining room table that we enjoyed for 35 years!

I have wonderful memories of Susan and her fantastic Christmas parties! Plus, I have great memories of the Museum event she and Dirk hosted with the Acrocanthosaurus in their yard! So cool! I too grew up in Alabama, and Susan and I shared similar childhood experiences. She was a wonderful lady and good friend, and I will miss her!
Much sympathy to her family,
Betsy Bennett