Susan E. Green

Date of Death: January 14, 2012

Susan Elizabeth Green, age 56, died Saturday, January 15, 2012, at Regency Place, Lafayette, and is survived by her parents, Ralph and Betty Green.
Susan was diagnosed at birth with the genetic abnormality, Down?s Syndrome, but lived a full and fruitful life despite her limitations. She attended the first Special Education classes offered in Tippecanoe County, completing that program at age 19. She lived at home until age 30, commuting daily by city bus to work in the Wabash Sheltered Workshop.
After a serious illness in October 1999, she entered Regency Place Nursing Home as a resident, where she lived until her death.
Susan was an active participant in Special Olympics in the local and state contests, especially in swimming and bowling, and in the many social programs sponsored by Wabash Center and also those by the Arc of Tippecanoe County. She played the recorder and performed often at her church and elsewhere.
She loved to travel with her parents and family, via trailer, throughout the western states and Canada, making friends wherever she went with her infectious smile and chatter.
She is also survived by her two brothers, Bob (wife Mary Kay) of LaPorte, TX, Bill (wife Carol) of Silverdale, WA, and nieces Katie Green, Sarah Green and Emily Miller (husband Lee) all of the Seattle-Tacoma, WA, area. Also Aaron Green (wife Sarah) and Derik Green, Brook, IN.
Susan personified those among us who, through inherent mental and/or physical limitations, are often not afforded opportunities to develop the many innate skills they may have. Yet, given the opportunity to do so, often far exceed all expectations. She was loved and will be sorely missed by family, friends and all who knew her.
Friends will be received 1 hour prior to a 5 p.m. Memorial Service on Thursday at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel 1184 Sagamore Parkway West. In lieu of flowers memorials to Wabash Center, 2000 Greenbush St., Lafayette, IN 47904 or charity of choice.

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

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So very sorry to learn of your loss. My thoughts are with you.

I would like sorry to the family and family friends. I did Bowling with her in Special Olympics. But I did not know what she looked like. There was no picture.

Hi Ralph, Betty, Bob, Bill and the rest of the Green family.

So sad to here about Susan. My memories of her go way back to when Chris and I were kids. I do remember playing games and hanging out a bit with her when our families got together. She always seemed to be a jolly person! I will always remember her as a little girl, having not seen her as an older adult.
I&m sorry I was not back in Indiana to pay my respects and to see Bill and Bob. It would have been nice to touch base with them.

Thinking about you. Take care.

Love, Craig

I was very young when Susan was in my life. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of very secific memories of my time with her because of my age at the time-but what I do remember very deeply is the feeling of love and warmth whenever I was with her. She has a place in my heart forever. Although I do have two things, I remember eating Ding Dongs in her car port and playing Candy Land. I love you Susan and will miss your warm and loving heart in our world.

I&m so sorry to hear about your loss. Susan will be forever remembered. She was in my first group home of consumers. What a character! Take Care, Tina

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Dear Betty, Ralph, and Family,

We were so saddened to hear that Susan had made her transition. She was truly a special human being, always cheerful, loving, and attentive to everything and everyone around her. She especially showed those helping, social skills with the elderly residents at Regency (I (Bette) saw her ""in action"" several times there, ministering to someone in the dining area - delightful as always!).

Your obituary was beautiful, and so appropriate in describing her talents and interests. She was truly a teacher/role model for so many of us who knew her -
a true angel.

We&re sorry we won&t be able to attend this afternoon&s memorial service, but please know that our thoughts and loving memories are with her and her loving family.
She will truly be missed!

With love and fond memories,
Bette and Joe Rubinstein

To Susan Green&s Family-

We was sorry to hear of Susan&s death. We have such fond memories of her when she and Ruth Ann attended Kingston with Mrs. Thomas as their teacher. Susan was such a joy to be around and always had big hugs to give everyone. May happy and fun memories comfort you during this time of loss. Our thougths and prayers are with you.

Bonnie Deverall and Family (Ruth Ann&s Deverall&s Mom and family)

Dear Bill and Carol
I was sorry to hear of your loss. I read on Facebook about your trip back to WL for this sad occasion. My thoughts are with you

I worked at Wabash Center many years ago with Susan, She was always one of my favorites. She always had a smile on her face and always gave me a big hug. I to was very lucky to have a down&s child. I lost my daughter when she was 5, that is one reason I went to work at the center. I was blest by working there with special people like Susan. I also helped in Special Olpymics so again I shared time with Susan. I am so sorry but like myself you have a very special angel looking down at you now. Thank you for sharing Susan with so many of us. Jackie

Mr. and Mrs. Green,

I knew Susan when I worked on rec programs during much of my time in Lafayette. Susan also lived across from my parents when she lived at a group home on Central Street in Lafayette.

Susan was always thinking about something, something she could do, would do, was doing, had done... She was busy and happy and always had some good words. My parents were especially impressed by Susan. She would go out walking, and while clearly NOT her favorite activity, she always took a minute to make Dad laugh. And Dad would wave and have something to say to her.

I remeber Susan playing music and singing. She loved an appreciative audience! Lively and fun.

I am truly sorry for your loss. I hope you are able to draw strength from your memories of her laughter, courage, willfullness (yes, she had the right opinion much of the time - just ask her!), and integrity. The world is better because she was in it.

Sincerely,
Jane Murtaugh

I had a rush of a memory of many many years ago when I read of Susan&s passing in the paper today. I taught her swimming lesson many years ago-maybe about 40 years? I can&t remember where it was but I think we did the lessons at Purdue possibly. I remember her positive attitude and her humor and that she never gave up.
God bless you in this time of your great loss of your sweet daughter.

Dear Betty, Ralph, Bob, Mary Kay, Bill and Carol,

We were sad to read today of Susan&s death. You were all such a large part of our lives when we lived in the neighborhood and Susan was a great companion for our girls. Chrissy and Susan had many wonderful adventures and laughs with Hillary tagging along when possible. Susan had a joyful soul.

Susan has indeed had a full life and we know that your advocacy for her has helped many others do the same.

We send our sincere sympathy to you all for this loss.

George and Nancy Dandrow

I am not sure how to start, it is as though I am addressing a part of myself , Susan is that much a part of me and what my life has been. My mother called tonight and told me the news and I just feel so greatly saddened knowing she is not here. I have always enjoyed Susan and when I think of her I cannot help but smile. As far back as I remember she has been there... and with such great gusto, and determination, and so much personality. I am the better person for her presence in my life; she taught me so much about the depth of a person&s character and heart, and how to be kind, and never to underestimate or judge too quickly the abilities of another. When I think of her now I see her in the yard at 708 Vine St., standing beneath the young tree at the top of the hill between our yard and her&s and she is laughing. Then again I also see her on our yellow front porch swing playing guitar and singing, early in the morning with the sun shinning outside my parents bedroom window. I remember adventures, and games, and trust, I could always trust Susan to be Susan. I remember her room, it was always so pretty and she had a music box she used to like to show me, when you opened the lid a ballerina popped up and music played and she twirled around. I remember summer air and winter snow and passing years; and I will always remember Susan with love... and I will miss knowing she is here with us. Thank you for allowing Susan to be Susan and for sharing her with my world,

Chrissy Dandrow

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.