ROTARIAN TRIBUTE TO SUE O'DWYER
It is with great sadness that the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise said goodbye to our beloved sister, Susan Alice O’Dwyer (November 11, 1951 – April 1, 2019). In our lifetime, it is such a blessing to know someone that is a true friend, someone with integrity, motivation, sincerity, and dedication. Sue O’Dwyer was a vibrant soul and a champion of our Rotary club and our community. She literally lit up the room whenever she entered. Not only was she full of joy, she was always so eager to help out. Our lasting memories of Sue are quite simple. She was a hard-working, passionate figure of strength, who never waned in her support or love of her family, friends, and Rotary. We pay tribute to her for everything she has done and especially the warmth she shared during her precious time on earth.
Sue was a charter member of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise. She was fully engaged in the life and work of the club on multiple levels – a perfect example of the Rotary motto “Service Above Self”. Sue served twice as club president and was treasurer for several years. She championed the Rotary Spook House at the Water Pumpkinfest. She enjoyed getting into character for this fundraising and community event and provided so much enjoyment to everyone attending as she had the marvelous quality of engaging young people.
On two occasions, she accompanied student delegates from Norfolk County to Welshpool, Wales. This was a Welshpool Student Exchange that she so loved and supported. Rotarian, Lucine McKay is an avid penguin collector and fondly recalls Sue billeting with a Welshpool Rotarian (Tony Harvey), who was also a penguin collector. She crossed the ocean to give this billet a mascot Canadian penguin. Needless to say, the penguin exchange continued for many years and frequently Lucine McKay was the surprise recipient of a penguin. This was Sue, a thoughtful, generous woman with a wonderful sense of humor.
Sue was
extremely active in the work of Youth Services for the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, recruiting youth for exchanges and leadership training, including RYLA and Slapshot. It is impressive that she was a leader at District 7090 with both RYLA and Slapshot youth leadership training programs. She was the chair of RYLA for several years at the District level. Sue was the driving force behind the formation of the Norfolk Rotaract Club, which formed with the energy of a group of RYLA graduates from Norfolk. Not surprisingly, she was the recipient of multiple Paul Harris Fellow awards. Sue was pro-active and led our Club in numerous fundraising events, including: Toast to Spring, Spook House, Spelling Bee, Bargains Bling and Blarney, and Catch the Ace Lottery. She was truly a beacon for the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, not only in our community, but also beyond. Sue was a unique individual, who was admired by all having the privilege to work with her. The reality is, Sue did so much more than anyone was aware of, so many wonderful things to advance the work of Rotary. In retrospect, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise has come to fully appreciate all that she did. A candle loses nothing by lighting another and Sue certainly lit many candles. We keep ourselves busy with the things we do, but every time we pause, we think of you.
extremely active in the work of Youth Services for the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, recruiting youth for exchanges and leadership training, including RYLA and Slapshot. It is impressive that she was a leader at District 7090 with both RYLA and Slapshot youth leadership training programs. She was the chair of RYLA for several years at the District level. Sue was the driving force behind the formation of the Norfolk Rotaract Club, which formed with the energy of a group of RYLA graduates from Norfolk. Not surprisingly, she was the recipient of multiple Paul Harris Fellow awards. Sue was pro-active and led our Club in numerous fundraising events, including: Toast to Spring, Spook House, Spelling Bee, Bargains Bling and Blarney, and Catch the Ace Lottery. She was truly a beacon for the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, not only in our community, but also beyond. Sue was a unique individual, who was admired by all having the privilege to work with her. The reality is, Sue did so much more than anyone was aware of, so many wonderful things to advance the work of Rotary. In retrospect, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise has come to fully appreciate all that she did. A candle loses nothing by lighting another and Sue certainly lit many candles. We keep ourselves busy with the things we do, but every time we pause, we think of you.Sue O’Dwyer is missed and will be remembered as the Rotarian who exemplified the following: of the things she thought, said, or did, she considered the truth, if it was fair to all concerned, and ensured it would build goodwill, better friendships, and was beneficial to all concerned. Continued....
Letter to Sue O’Dwyer written by Gail Catherwood, Past President of Norfolk Rotary Sunrise.
Dear Sue,
We missed you at the meeting this week. We are gearing up for our last big fundraiser, one that you always played such a big part in. I ask myself, “What weren’t you a part of?” You were so creative in making things happen with little effort or money. I guess this comes from being born into a large family.
We never had to worry about any event that needed volunteers because you were always there with family in tow. You held the position of Treasurer for years, and now many Rotarians as well as the community, marvel at what you were able to do in that capacity.
Your love for kids and wanting to give them a head start was evident in your compassion for the RYLA Program. You were involved with this program for many years not only doing this single-handedly for our Club annually, but working with the District as well. With you gone, this is a tremendous loss to the program.
Sue, I vividly recall our trips to Wales, our exclusive exchange program. You were a great part of that exchange, chaperoning teenagers for a week while visiting fellow Rotarians abroad. The distant Rotary club learned that women can be Rotarians and they later adapted that exclusiveness in their club. You kept this fantastic program alive, in conjunction with others, and continued to keep in touch with our Welshpool Rotary friends for years.
We all appreciated your generous giving of your time, experience, and wit, not only to our club but also to the Foundation. You were such a great example to all of us when you were presented with numerous Paul Harris Fellows, receiving your last just a few short months ago. Our club presented you with a Paul Harris for your great work in the community, while you received others from your generous donations to the fund. It is not only our club, but the world that benefits when one donates to the cause.
Thank you, Sue, for your dedication to Rotary, your friends, and your wonderful family. You were one of a kind!
Remembering you fondly,
Gail Catherwood,
Past President,
Norfolk Rotary Sunrise.