That's why it was so
unbelievably sad and shocking for us to learn that Woolf, a long-time
Somerville artist who moved to New York City a little over two years
ago, was suddenly taken from all our lives. Woolf was stabbed to death
on Dec.10, in her Long Island City loft apartment. The horrifying
nature of her sudden death, and to a person who had such a huge love
and passion for life, as well as prolific artistic talent, has left us
reeling. (You can read more at www.nytimes.com/2009/12/13/nyregion/13stab.html).

But
as one person said during her memorial service, Susan taught us all
about unconditional love, and how to be a friend. That part of her will
live on in all of us, and we can all say, "My life was bettered because
I was friends with Susan."

A second tribute for Susan will be held on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. at the Woolman Hill Quaker Retreat in Deerfield, Mass.

Susan
had more life packed into her five foot four-inch, petite frame than
anyone I've ever met. She had her hands on more art projects than I
could name, yet she always called me back as soon as she'd hear my
message. She always had the time to put her needs on hold to reach out
to a friend. That is why I wasn't too surprised-but still amazed and
awed-to see the room full at the New York Culture Center (SGI), where
Susan was a member.

Susan had only lived in New York City (in
Brooklyn, Astoria, and then Long Island City) for a little over two
years, and yet she had touched so many lives. Paying homage at the
memorial service were friends from the dog park in Astoria-those of you
who know Susan will know her Standard Poodle, Angus-and from her art
crits, friends from childhood, neighbors, artists, members of her
meditation group, Art Business Group, members from the many other
artist organizations that she belonged to. It was staggering. There are
pages and pages of poignantly beautiful tributes to Susan on her
Facebook page.

Susan was a beautiful person, full of verve and
talent, said Lucia Small, a long-time friend, who lives in Manhattan.
She was a loyal and loving friend, with one of the greatest laughs, she
said.

"She was truly inspiring in her love of life," Small said. "She was graceful, funny, courageous, and generous."

For
Small, as well, one of the most telling things for her at the memorial
service was seeing person after person say that they were one of
Susan's "best friends."

"At a certain point we had to laugh,
because it was clear that Susan made us all feel extra special, which
was one of her many unique gifts," she said.

Laelia Mitchell,
a photographer and artist of Jamaica Plain, said living in Susan's
legacy of expansive love and great creativity shall forever guide her.

"May
you be a beacon for all of your loved ones to find each other during
our hard times …. and may your zest for this life show us not to
fear, but to follow our dreams," Mitchell said.

As an artist,
Susan was known for her site-specific sculptures that reflected her
fascination with nature and reclaiming of debris. Here in Somerville
she was a regular fixture during Art Beat, the Windows Art Project and
Somerville Open Studios. She taught people how to sew with recycled
fabric at the Somerville library. She was active with the Somerville
Arts Council. These are just a few highlights. If I listed all that
Susan has done in and for the city of Somerville, this story would run
for pages.

Her last posting on her Twitter page was, "As an
artist trying to survive off my output, I'm fine with any income stream
that doesn't compromise my intent, content and vision."

Joseph
Cavalieri, an artist from the East Village, who met Susan at an Art
Business Group was impressed by her rigorous discipline. "One unique
item Susan shared with us is how she divided her day into segments for
specific goals; each hour of each day set for specific project," he
said. Yet he noted she had an adorable, silly side as well.

Susan
was always applying for grants for art projects, whether they were in
her beloved New York City or as far away as Mongolia. Last spring she
won a grant for a three-month consultation with a career mentor. The
woman said that Susan showed up with a seven-page list of professional
goals. She was active with just about every board imaginable, including
the Long Island City Artists group. There was something about Susan-she
was really good at inspiring a crowd of people.

Susan was a
community leader, as well as an artist, said Martha Lopez-Gilpin,
co-chair of the Astoria Park Alliance. At the time of her death, Susan
and Lopez-Gilpin were working on a grant to bring her artistic vision
to Astoria Park. "Susan's art installation would, in her own words,
provide 'A greater understanding for all park users, of the diversity
of cultures in Queens.' Our community will miss her valuable
leadership, her grace and her warmth."

Her most recent projects
involved outdoor installations using natural materials called "Quiet
Pieces." She was especially proud of the durability of her "Quiet Piece
17" by the Queensbridge Park. She had started to create jewelry that
she called "Urban Rustic Steampunk Designer Jewelry," with smashed
bottle tops that she found in the street cast in bronze or by using
bark to create a relief pattern. When walking with Susan, she was
always bending down to pick up some metal object in the street. Visit www.etsy.com/shop/woolfjewelry to see her jewelry.

What
is really tragic is that her life was cut short when her professional
life was really starting to take off. A photograph of Angus was
included in the recent exhibition of "Gone to the Dogs" at the gallery
Denise Bibro Fine Art in Chelsea, and she had a project on the burner
to create a piece of public art in New York City. Again, these are just
a few examples. The art community in New York City will miss her
exuberant presence, that is for sure. Visit www.stwoolf.com to learn more about her art.

"Susan
viewed life as unbounded and unrestrained," said friend Carol Iancu.
"She saw art and opportunity everywhere and seized them with zest; and,
generously shared them with friends and strangers alike. Perhaps her
free and open spirit was simply too much for this world."

Although
Susan is gone from earth, she lives on; as a spirit as large as hers
could never simply go away. Friends are talking about future
dedications and projects in memory of Susan…And for those who never
knew Susan, you can learn how important the gift of friendship is. Hold
onto your friendships and give. That is what Susan always did.