Susie Facini lived her life with an open heart.
It’s a common phrase, but Susie truly lived to its meaning. She believed with such conviction in helping others, and frequently made great efforts to reach out to those who were pushed aside or were hurting. She also believed in the power of community and was a friend to all. She was the type to love first, and ask questions later. You couldn’t mistake Susie’s perpetual smile, brilliant eyes, and trademark laugh and inner light.
Her impact was so strong on everyone she met. In her one-day wake, over 3,000 people came to show their support. Friends from all walks of life, all ages, and all social circles came together in an unbelievable show.
She thoroughly lived her nineteen years with a compassionate heart, a brilliant sense of humor and an amazing capacity to bring people together.
On November 23, 2011, Susie died from a sudden cardiac arrest. On an ordinary evening without any warning, Susie felt her heart race, and passed out just seconds later. Despite valiant efforts by her mother, a Registered Nurse, town paramedics and ER doctors, Susie was unable to be revived. It was a sudden, frightening turn of events that left her many loved ones shattered and looking for answers. The immediate autopsy revealed no abnormalities or clues to explain why Susie’s heart stopped. Everyone involved remained in disbelief, as Susie was a healthy, fit 19 year-old.
There is a certain amount of solace we find in this, however. There was no period of sickness or suffering, nor any question as to what happened (she was at home with her mother at the time). We are also thankful that she was not alone in her dorm, or perhaps behind the wheel of a car at the time. When we add up the facts, we are left with a sudden but instantaneous passing, without any fear, suffering or regret.
Live Like Susie is our testament to her wonderful life, and the phrase has become our personal credo. It is with the spirit of our wonderful Susie that we look onward, hoping to spread her passion and love to others in any way we can. Here, we raise funds for a scholarship in her name—to be awarded to those who shared her passion, humor, and unquestioning love for others. We hope to also share her message here, through inspiring and funny stories from Susie’s family and friends.
In this effort, we also want to build a community, as Susie was so great at doing. All those affected by Susie during her life—across every conceivable social group—know how she helped others, and have felt her dazzling attitude. We hope that here, everyone can have the opportunity to really remember the meaning of “Live Like Susie” and bring it with them in their lives. Everyone—from her closest friends and family, to those met in passing at school or work, to people who are only now reading the story of this wonderful girl—is in this together.
Above all, here we remember Susie’s life, as it is a true example for all of us to follow.
We would also like to extend a special thanks to the New York Organ Donor Network.
