A Remembrance of The Rev. Deacon Susan J. North

The Rev. Dn. Susan J. (Gardner) North, 59, passed into the next chapter of life on Monday June 3, 2013.  She was an ordained Episcopal Deacon of the Diocese of Rhode Island since 1991, and was serving at Trinity Church, North Scituate at the time of her death.

In her own words, she has described her journey of service through the Diaconate:

            “My call to the diaconate kind of surprised me, as I was very much going about doing other things.  It was quickly affirmed by my family, friends, and parish, however, and it was not long before I was enrolled in the School for Deacons in September of 1986.  During the time of preparing for ordination, I began dating my husband, Chris, got married, and had a baby.  Between September of 1986 (when my ordination track began), and March of 1991 (my ordination), my life couldn’t have changed more.  I began “ministry” by believing my call to be with the dying and their families.  I spent some years in Hospice Chaplaincy, and it was wonderful.  Over the years, however, my experience has led to an equal or even greater passion for being with those living in poverty.  I worked for Children’s Friend and Service for four years, doing home visiting, and I have worked for the Providence School Dept., in South Providence, for seven years.  It doesn’t matter.  Deacons are called to serve the helpless, particularly, the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.  That’s a wide umbrella.”

The Ven. Jan Grinnell, Archdeacon for the Diocese of Rhode Island, had this to say about Sue:

"I was blessed to be able to attend Deacon's school with Sue, and eventually be ordained on the same day.  She was completely devoted to her ministry to those who were less fortunate than many of us.   She is missed by all of us who were blessed to know her.  It is so fitting that her last sermon has become a source of inspiration for all of us who serve as deacons.  She continues to bless and inspire me, and will for the remainder of my ministry.”

Sue was passionate about her role as a deacon and gave a sermon earlier this year at Trinity Church.  Here are some brief segments from that sermon:

            “You’re always a deacon.  By the way, they think that ordination may not end with this life.  Just so you know.”

            “As for expectations, what do you have the right to expect of me?

·        You have the right to expect to see that I am aware that I am always a deacon.  As I make decisions and conduct my life, you should be able to trace an awareness of who I am and the vows that I’ve taken in my actions and in my thought processes.  Just like I did in my job decision, I should know and seek counsel from others who know, how being a deacon affects the end result of those processes.

·        You have the right to expect that I will keep a spiritual discipline, including daily Bible study or reflection and prayer and that this discipline is evident in my perspective, knowledge, and outlook in various aspects of my life.

·        You have the right to expect that I will look for Christ in all people.  Even in those that others might consider the least desirable?  No, ESPECIALLY in those that others might consider the least desirable.

·        You have the right to expect that I will support equity and justice for others, and take delight in their achieving it, even when it means that I will lose something by their gain.

·        You have the right to expect that, even though I will fail in all of the above from time to time, I will always be willing to engage in the struggle, and, when you are willing, to join with you in your struggles with the same issues, that we might work them out together.

·        Finally, most importantly, you have the right to expect that the Gospel is my guide, my hope, my strength, and will, in the end, be my final word.”
  

 

Many of Sue’s friends and work colleagues commented that she was a kind, caring woman, who showed great compassion to many students, a true professional, always offereing questions and comments that showed she knew what she was talking about and truly cared about her kids at school. Sue was a great co-worker, a very warm, personable lady and a dedicated teacher.

The community of Deacons sends its fondest regards and deepest sympathies to Sue’s family, especially her husband Chris, her mother, Alice Phyllis Gardner and her sons, Jonathan J. North and his wife, Sarah and Joshua J. North.  We also extend our sympathy and support to her parish.  She will be greatly missed.