I’m back from my trip to Chicago and my neice’s high school graduation. I had a great time with the family, and am really proud of her accomplishments as she prepares to enter Fordham University this fall! I have a ton of catching up to do since I was away, but I felt that I cannot write anything else until I wrote this.
My trip was not all fun and games and good times. As the NHL Director for FanSided Sports, I deal with approximately 70 to 75 writers. While there’s no way to communicate everyday with everyone, there are a few writers that I speak to via email, text, goggle chat, and once in a while a phone call. I like to call our network a family, as do many others. I have made some very good friends with many people as we talk about more than just hockey.
Susan Lee, our Anaheim Ducks writer at Ducks Daily Blog was one of the closest people I had come to know on this network. Sue had been sick with some health issues recently and was fighting a battle that no one her age should have to fight. But a fighter she was. Unfortunately during my trip I received some extremely sad news from Michael her long time boyfriend, that this past Thursday, Susan Lee had passed away. Please read on
Sue as I called her was a terrific person. From that first Saturday afternoon where we spent an hour on the phone getting her started on her site till now, she and I had built a great friendship. We typically communicated in one way shape or form almost daily. It could just be a simple, “hey how’s it going”, or a “wow what a game”. There were times she was stuck for material and needed an idea. But many times I was the one that was stuck, or aggravated about some game the night before. Or some penalty or play. She understood. She had her opinions and loved the game just as much as me or you.
She was funny and articulate. She found the goofiest video’s on the internet. As a writer she wasn’t typical. She’s not about the numbers and the play by play. She knew that there were other places to find that and wanted to stand out. She wanted to be different, and that she was. She pinch hit for us on Rink Side Rants (our live Podcast) so many times. When the show needed a caller to get things going, she would make it. Her dedication and her loyalty to us was one of her best attributes.
Sue and Michael had visited Florida this past November. Most of us writers don’t get a chance to meet each other, but with Sue and Michael being so close, we decided it would make sense to see a Florida Panthers game. The Toronto Maple Leafs were in town and the possibility of her seeing her favourite goalie J.S. Guigere was all I needed to know. Jiggy was hurt however and didn’t play, but we still enjoyed the game and each other’s company. We hung out before hand and really got to know each other. Something now I am very grateful for. I knew how wonderful a person she was when she wanted to do a Father’s Day special post last season, and used my daughter to help her.
I could go on and on. But I’ll stop with this. Sue had a very infectious laugh. If you could get her to laugh about something, you knew the conversation was going good. I will always remember that about her.
I know that I speak for the entire network when I say this….My deepest sympathies go out to Michael and Susan’s family at this difficult time. She was really a wonderful person and a good friend.
I know I’ll miss her.
To see Sue’s work, please click on this link. You will then be able to read every post she had written for us. You’ll see why we all liked her so much.
I know there’s other news today, and the past few days that you might want to read about here. To me this was more important. I honestly didn’t feel right posting anything else until I wrote this article for Sue. People come and go in our lives, and we don’t know why. Sometimes you meet someone very special in your life. Make sure they know about it. Make sure you tell them in your own way. You may not be fortunate enough to get a second chance.
Thanks for reading.