Sue Stitt McIlvried '74

Sue Stitt McIlvried '74

Nominated by: Joyce McIlvried Buckingham '60

When I learned my brother John was engaged to marry a Kianu, I was so delighted. He brought her to meet his family, and I gave her a hug. "You are already my sister, in Kianu!" I said. Sue told me later, that she was a bit apprehensive, but that greeting was just what she needed.

During the years, I watched Sue grow, and admired her typical Kianu traits: a ready smile, radiating joy, a understanding listener, and I could see Sue was a "Giver" in life, not a "Taker." It was as if she relished untangling the problems of others. Sue was a "Counseller!" Thus Sue paraded through life, mothering her 3 daughters, and those around her-- always looking for a way to help others. That was Sue!

When Sue McIlvried knew her disease was terminal, she immediately began to counsel our family. She was very close to my granddaughter Ruthie Foraker who also lived in Indiana. Sue knew her death would be a difficult situation for Ruthie, who was five. Thus she made a special doll for Ruthie, and told her that whenever she needed to talk to her, she could hold the doll and spill out her troubles.

She immediately called me and told me she had stage 4 cancer, which was terminal. I invited Sue and my brother John, to join us at the Trapp Family Lodge, in Stowe, VT. John got her to our guest house. Sue was busy from morning to night, trying to drink in the last days on this earth. She took photos of flowers, and asked to see covered bridges and all the waterfalls in the area. She needed to hear the water spilling over the falls, as well as seeing the lovely leaves. It was as if every moment on this earth was a treasure to Sue. In the evening, I noticed she was busy knitting, while we were visiting. She said she was making me a scarf to go with my coat and a matching tassel for my hat. Sue wanted to give me a piece of herself before she left me. Something to hang on, a memory to touch. She was busy counseling our family, as she was slowly slipping the bonds of this life. My brother, John, later told me it was the last painless week of her life, and he thanked me for allowing Sue to drink in the sights and joys of Vermont, just as the incredible beauty of Autumn covered us, like a fog of lovely colors.

When Sue learned that the Kianu's were selling bricks engraved with your names written on them, she immediately bought one for the three of us. The three McIlvried's, First was my sister Miriam McIlvried, a Kianu of '57, and me, Joyce McIlvried '60 and herself, Sue Stitt McIlvried '74. That brick is still somewhere among others who donated money, maybe in the basement of the Kianu House.

I have known so many wonderful Kianu's. Those that were seniors in 1957, to those who pledged and were the class of '63. I smile when I think of them. They could all be the girl with the arrow! They were all so beautiful from the inside, out. They were caring, loving, understanding, and always ready to help. They were my sisters! However, Sue Stitt McIlvried '74 surely deserves the award of "The Girl With The Arrow!"

Love in XAN, Joyce McIlvried Buckingham '60