Allison Pilmer's Memorial Speech
More than 16 years ago, I began working in the Admission office, across the hall from Suzanne. Because she had that eye for the "new kid in town" and considered herself a human welcome wagon, we struck up conversation.
One thing led to another and within 5 days of knowing Suzanne, we were doing yard work at her house over the weekend. Not dainty work, but dirty, digging holes and planting roses, moving rocks kind of yard work.
If you were to begin describing Suzanne, you wouldnʼt get far until you mention that she's from Texas and she has the most endearing accent and colorful expressions. Being from Ohio these were so fantastic-- like verbal potato chips--you can't have just one.
Iʼll share my favorites in case you are headed to the South:
Boy Howdy! Which is a big proclamation of awesomeness Put up: To put away, file or stash.
Fixin to: for the longest time I thought she was repairing 2 items--actually means that you are "readying oneself"
Giddy-Gapper: any gadget, the name for which she can't recall at the time
That offends my senses: that's plain ugly
Looks like it was rode hard and put away wet: that's uglier than things that offend senses
While those expressions dotted conversation and made me laugh there was one particular phrase that Suzanne impressed upon me which has shaped every way I live:
"Completed Staff Work"
"Completed Staff Work"... it was from her days working at Exxon and it signified the highest compliment that could be given to a work product.
At first hearing it, I rebuffed it. Thinking it sounded like it was reserved for low-level typing and copying jobs. She assured me that “Completed Staff Work” was very difficult to attain.
Over time, I witnessed the hours that Suzanne would pour into her preparation for meetings and events. Between rounds of stuffing binders or proofing letters, often on weekends, I finally asked "why does this matter?"
Suzanne explained that the world sees you by the work you produce. If you're going to put something out there, why not elevate it?
Produce a product that was full of clear communication, flawless execution, no shortcuts and always exceeded expectations.
This concept seemed to be a sticking point with her, so I began to ask her opinion more often, and ask her to help me improve my work. I yearned to hear those words: "THAT is completed staff work."
Suzanne was the first person who would compliment your earned achievements. And if necessary bring attention to things that I fell short on or ways I cut corners. Once you set your intentions to achieving "Completed Staff Work", I promise you, like Suzanne promised me, you will find success and fulfillment to follow.
I stood by Suzanne in two places, our work life here at CLU - and the true place of honor were the years together in our personal lives.
That first day of sweaty yard work at her house is the day I met Steve...Suzanne said she knew we'd get along because our astrological signs are the same. She claimed to have a calming effect on Virgos. Soon after, I met David and Ashley. These four people became my new understanding of Family...and at the head of our ship, Suzanne-my Mom.
Like all Moms, this one had quirks...
It makes obvious sense that woman from blazing hot Texas who lives in Southern California would explore ways to make and wear wool by knitting or crocheting. She mentioned that she loved the puzzle of a knitting pattern, the visible progress and knowing that the end result might be worn by a loved one. In fact, I learned yesterday that she often knit with other CLU women known as “the knit wits.”
Myself, living in Northern California where things can get a "little crunchy" and hippie, I located the most perfect Mothers Day gift for Suzanne--Hand spun, organic and ultra virtuous wool from an local sustainable farm. The steep price per ounce of wool was a bit shocking, however, the farmer who sold it to me assured me that it is the best fiber money can buy and it'd be enough to make a scarf or something usable.
Suzanne loved it...I heard oohs and ahhs over the phone, via text, and by thank you card. Then, it became obvious, Suzanne wanted me to try knitting...she sent me books, articles and I caved to her peer pressure.
I was bit by the bug and began to take classes. And together, we really got into fiber. Months later, Suz admitted that she had used the organic yarn to knit something for me...something super functional, totally
unique and unable to find itʼs likeness of which in any store. Then, I opened it, I present to you: an oven mitt.
It's organic. I love it for all the right sentimental reasons. She knew I loved to cook and bake, it was perfection.
This past Christmas, Suzanne and I decided to give each other the gift of time together..a three day trip to...you guessed it the Super Bowl of fiber arts: "Stitches South" in Atlanta. We all know that Suzanne was an organizational force to be reckoned with-it was as if she were preparing for college. The minute online registration for courses opened, Suzanne was refreshing her screen and frustrated with me via text because I have a job, and I was actually working.
Convinced that I was going to get wait listed, she registered for me. (Some here may frown upon the over- involved helicopter parent, but it made her happy.) She then moved to booking our hotel, meals, flights and car. The whole experience of planning and communicating the details made both of us look forward to the trip. Suzanne was packed 4 days prior to departure and texted me detailed packing suggestions.
Picture the two of us at the Stitches South in a convention center filled with people wearing multiple hand knit items all while and agonizing over nuances of animal fur, and the merits of hand made maple wood knitting needles. It was such a great time walking into a class full of people and watching Suzanee work the rooms.
By day's end she knew something about dozens of attendees and was excited to tell me details about them, their knitting and usually their dog's name. I was proud to be with Suzanne because she took the best notes, asked great questions and was the knitting teacherʼs pet.
Things in fiber-land became a little strange when at 2am a tornado siren began to roar. I heard a knock at my hotel door--it's Suzanne, fully dressed. She informs me that if we're going to hurl through space and time, she wants to do it together.
By this time the hotel is encouraging us to take cover in bathtubs. I break it to Suzanne that the tubs are tiny and I think we need to go this one solo. She agrees and as she leaves my room, she yells: “Iʼll text you from the tub.” The tornado touched down on the other side of the freeway.
In this last week, I've combed through hundreds of emails, cards and texts from Suzanne. I would like to share with each of you the most current gift I learned from her. It wasn't just on the job that she demonstrated "Completed Staff Work." You can easily substitute many words here: Completed Wife Time, Completed Mom Time, Sister, Friend...it goes on and on.
It is very obvious that those same qualities which made her great at work, made her personal relationships better. She always made herself available to help family or friends, and she would exceed your relationship expectations. There were no short cuts. When she felt an emotion, be it of love, appreciation or joy she was never shy about saying it while looking into your eyes.
A little over a year ago, we were together on campus again. As we were walking through the park, she grabbed my arm and said “I am so proud to call you mine.” Suzanne, the feeling is entirely mutual.