Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Dear Andrew, Susan and Etta,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your mother & grandmother. I recognized her senior photo, and was immediately transported to my youth. Susan worked at the Midway Park Office for my father, Frank Walsh, one of his impressive, finest and most respected private secretaries. I recall he stayed in touch with her after she attended university and began working for the DOD. He was so proud of her as a person and professional. Of course, I looked up to her as a model for a young professional woman, I being eight years younger. I too wanted to be a secretary, in part because of intelligent, kind, eloquent and professional young women such as your mom, grandmother, along with other memorable women who embodied professionalism, independence and service. In high school, I was well on my way, when my trajectory and interests suddenly changed course, leading me to a long and lovely career in world language education.
My parents are no longer with us, but we all cared for Susan and the gifts she possessed and shared, even for that brief time. From personal experience, I can tell you that our parents and those we love never truly leave us, but remain with us in the love, time and lessons we have learned and shared; they remain forever in our minds, hearts and souls. May you be comforted by the love you have shared as well as the love and concern that surround you at this time, and always...
Most sincerely, Karen Walsh (and in memory of Frank & Marge Walsh)
