July 28, 2007

Dear Families:

It is with great and deep sorrow that we are forced to accept the passing of our teacher and friend, Sue Hoying.

Our faith tells us that Sue is home with God, and that she feels no more pain, no more distress. With no answers to the “why?” question, we have to live with this reality God’s left to us. And it’ll be the little things that will bring us back to tears even after we think we’ve moved on from our sorrow – the simple sight of the letters “KB”, the “Angels Among Us” song, the sight of a head of curly graying hair, the sound of laughter among children…these things and others more personal to each of us will remind us, uncontrollably, of Sue. And we will cry. Sue had that wonderful, faith-filled and child-like exuberance for life that gives all the rest of us hope. Such people are precious, and rare.

Here at Saint Raphael, Sue will never be forgotten. She is forever embedded in the history, the culture, the atmosphere, the heart and soul of this school. Sue embodied the request of Christ to “let the children come to me” – she would want us to never forget that message. Our sincere gratitude is extended to the Hoying family for ensuring, through the establishment of an endowment for our SRCS families who are in need of aid, that Sue’s all-encompassing love for children will continue to live in a very concrete way in our school.

Let us take our memories of Sue and offer them to the world in real ways. Welcome newcomers, tell someone “you’re doing a great job”, talk to a child about our faith, forgive someone’s mistakes, laugh at life’s absurdities, enjoy another’s company, have patience with someone who needs you, tell someone you love them. These are my memories of Sue – I can see her in all of these moments, and what I realize is that her life has taught me more than a thing or two.

Sue, we are missing you, terribly. But please, Sue one last request: stay among us, Sue Hoying, as our angel, to guide us always to the light of love.

Peace,

Joanna