Tom Fowler  |  Jeremy Lynd  |  Sandra Yaggie

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Fowler remembers Holly:

 

I met Holly (Benisek) Sucic at the University of Vermont while she was a graduate student.  She was one of a group of good friends from the university, including her future husband, Joe, who got together once every few weeks to just have an evening of laughs playing Scrabble or cards, or by celebrating a special event. My favorite strategy in Scrabble is to make the board difficult for my opponents.  This was an unheard of tactic to Holly (and according to her, a somewhat mean tactic), but she quickly recognized its value and turned the strategy back on me whenever she could.  We had some really spirited games and great times together, and as competitive as we all were, we also appreciated a superb play and the skill of our competition.  When Holly and Joe moved to UM-Flint and the other friends from the group scattered to other places, as happens to people with academic careers, we kept in touch but were separated by miles and our busy lives.  We occasionally had the chance to get together over the next few years. Holly's and Joe's wedding was a special occasion that brought us together, and vacations occasionally also allowed us to see each other in person.  Every single time, there was a complete familiarity, as if no time had passed since we had been together.  You could count on Holly to be no-nonsense, as she always was.  You could count on Joe to say something in a way that would get Holly's goat, and she would remind him of it for the rest of the day (always in good humor).  It was fun and comfortable to be with these friends.  It was a great shock to get the news that Holly was diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer.  She explained to me what she was facing in her straightforward way.  Some of us were able to get together after Holly began the chemotherapy treatments.  In spite of the sadness and helplessness we felt in the situation, Holly, in her wounded health, made us feel like our old gang by insisting that we do the things we always did as a group: eat and play games.  She may not have had much physical strength, but her competitive spirit was still intact.  I don't think I won a single board game the whole time, and not for lack of trying.  Holly was not one for self-pity or one who looked to others for pity.  She faced her poor prognosis with dignity and fought the battle with all she had, and her friends hoped and prayed against all odds.  We are now left without our friend.  But we have so many great memories of Holly and know that she will always be a part of each of our lives.

 

 

Tom Fowler, friend of Holly

Edwardsville, IL

 

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Jeremy Lynd remembers Holly:

 

I got the rare opportunity to know Holly as a teacher, a fellow researcher and a friend.  Between lectures Holly would sometimes come into the lab while I was working and talk to me about a wide range of subjects, something that was a real comfort to me when I started my research.  Any subject you could imagine talking about Holly was not only aware of but thoroughly informed.  I was very shy and often intimidated by my work but Holly would never hesitate to show me how to do something or talk me through it.  As an instructor Holly was enthusiastic about the material and versatile.  Much like science is famous for, our lab exercises would not always go as planned, but this didn’t stop Holly from teaching you more valuable lessons.  Through friends and family I have heard many stories of Holly with never a one being bad.  I was able to see first hand how much Holly meant to everyone at the university.  I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from Holly inside and out of the classroom and will always miss our chats.

 

Jeremy Lynd

University of Michigan-Flint

Class of 2006

 

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Sandra Yaggie Remembers Holly:

 

I first met Holly my sophomore year at Converse College. We had become
acquainted through a mutual friend. The following year, we decided to
room together, and we finished our Junior and Senior year together. Who
knew that such a thing would change my life forever. When there was chaos
in my life, she was my calm in the storm. When there was joy, she was the
first to celebrate it with me. (Both-usually with Ben and Jerry’s!) When
I panicked about taking “Baby Chem”, she was the one to make sure she was
my lab assistant and helped me through it. We had such different
personalities, (I more headstrong and “for the moment”, she more cautious
and thoughtful), but yet we had many things in common, love of reading,
favorite books, favorite movies (Anne of Green Gables, of course!), goals
and dreams. We had many adventures together (Oh- the stories I could
tell!) Our birthdays were even only 5 days apart.  Through our years
at Converse, a very diverse group of friends came to be. We called
ourselves the “Connies”: a dancer/economics major, 4 Special Ed teachers,
and Holly. When we graduated, we moved to different corners of the
country, Holly to VT, 2 to CA, and 3 were dispersed in the South. We
would get together every year in a central location to visit at Christmas
time. During the fall, Holly would say “Okay guys- time to get the ball
rolling, who, what, when and where?” We would always meet in the South
because logistically it was easier, but she never complained. Holly drove
or flew down to be with us. If it weren't for Holly’s “gentle reminders”,
the 6 of us might have drifted apart. She was most certainly the best
communicator in our group.  After college, she was still there for me.
She helped plan and participate in my wedding, helped us move, became the
sister my husband never had, and was the godmother of both my children. I
was honored to meet and become friends with Joe, be in her wedding, and
be a part of her life in return. For almost 10 years, we talked every
other Sunday night, to keep in touch. Sometimes for 2-3 hours. What
always put me to shame was her uncanny ability to remember even the
smallest detail. Birthdays, anniversaries, events, none of those were
overlooked by Holly. Sure, I remembered it was someone’s birthday, but I
remember it ON that birthday, not 2 weeks in advance so I can pick the
perfect card and gift and mail it on time. ( I tried, but could never get
it coordinated right!) She always KNEW the perfect gift. She knew the
people she loved so well, and paid such close attention to those around
her, that she never ceased to amaze me. She found just the thing that
would be perfect in my house, picked the perfect books that she knew my
kids wouldn't be able to put down, and cross-stitched the most wonderful
things, that I felt were truly made just for me. When she was diagnosed,
my world crashed around me. All of the Connies were flabbergasted. Not
Holly! Why Holly? The day we lost Holly was the worst day of my life. I
will never forget that day. Holly was a confidante, mentor, inspiration,
and best friend. She will continue to be a mentor and remembered by the
“Connies”, my husband, my children and other who were touched by her. She
may not be with us in this world any longer, but I am certain she is with
us in spirit. My family will do our part to keep that spirit alive in our
home and in our heart. May you be blessed enough to have such a person
come into your life.
 

Sandi Yaggie
 

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