More news on Claire Sussman

Burial

Claire's burial took place on Saturday 26th April in North Yorkshire, and was attended by close family members. As this is a woodland burial site the grave is not marked, but in time becomes part of the natural surroundings. There is, however, a network of paths through the area and a bench set aside for quiet contemplation. Instead of leaving graveside flowers, visitors are encouraged to leave fat-balls for the birds, or nuts to fill the bird-feeders. If anyone feels they might like to visit the site at a later date, please do let Hazel know and she will pass your request for details of the location on to Zoe. 

Memorial service and charitable donations

A memorial service will be arranged, probably sometime in the summer. At this everyone will have the opportunity to get together to celebrate Claire's life. The family will choose a charity for memorial donations. This is likely to be one that provides holidays for disadvantaged children. This choice was made because Claire was so good with children, and particularly enjoyed working with them when she taught outdoor pursuits. Alternatively, if anyone feels they would like to make a woodland dedication in memory of Claire, this can be done via The Woodland Trust

www.woodland-trust.org.uk/plantatree/index.htm (telephone 0800 0269650).

 

Inquest

An inquest into Claire's death will be held in October.

Zoe's book

Zoe thanks everyone for the comments and photos that she received from us all. The book is coming along nicely and Zoe hopes to have it finished soon.

Death of Claire Sussman

This blog entry updates the class members on the sad news of Claire Sussman’s death communicated by e-mail (to those for whom we have up to date e-mail addresses – please see below) last month.

Claire was reported missing from her base in Chester on 27^th February 2008. Her body was recovered a few days later on 6^th March from the River Mersey. As soon as we learnt of this tragedy, on 12^th March 2008 Hazel Hall sent out initial e-mails to class members, and to staff at the University of Birmingham, with a follow-up on 16^th March 2008. Responses to these communications were incorporated into a letter of condolence to Claire’s family sent by Hazel on behalf of the year group. The University of Chester (Claire’s employer) kindly passed the letter on to Claire’s mother. In her reply, Claire’s mother expressed how the family has been touched by the knowledge that we have been thinking of, and grieving for, Claire. As yet, the funeral has not taken place.

Zoe Gordon (nee Fletcher) has been working on putting together a book of photos and stories about Claire to give to her family. Included in this will be text from the messages that were sent to Hazel in response to the two e-mails mentioned above. Thanks to everyone who has made a contribution to date. If anyone has anything further to contribute, please e-mail Hazel so that she can pass details on to Zoe.

There are plans for a memorial service for Claire. If you would like to be informed of the details of this, please let Hazel know.

Class members may also be interested to see the memorial web site for Claire created by her step-sister Sara Conlin. This can be found at:

http://clairesussman.remembered-forever.org/

Request for contact details

We do not have current e-mail addresses for the following members of the year group. If your name is listed below, or you have the contact details for anyone listed, please could you let Hazel know?

• Mary Ainsworth
• Kathryn Bowler
  
• Camilla Child
  
• Jennie Dawson
  
• Sue Donoghue
  
• Barry Ellis
  
• Julian Garforth
  
• Sally Ann Hall
  
• Karen Hendry
  
• Quintin Lever
  
• Susan Longley
  
• Diane Manifold
  
• Val Matthews
  
• Graham Metcalf
  
• Linda Olding
  
• Sue Olszowska
  
• Priscilla Rathbone
  
• Joanne Richardson
  
• Joanne Louise Sim
  
• Melanie Wheeler