May 4, 1945- July 3, 2024
Susan Vicki Kaplan was unexpectedly taken from her loved ones on July 3 after a long and courageous fight with kidney failure. Throughout more than three years of constant battle she showed her remarkable strength and courage. She never complained once about the symptoms that robbed her of her vitality and always placed her family and friends above her own needs, as she did throughout her remarkable life.
Susan was born in New York City, on May 4, 1945. Her parents, Julia and Irving Dorfman, along with the rest of the family, had a successful box-making company. They moved to Manhasset, Long Island, when Susan was a child. She had a brother and sister, both of whom succumbed to cancer.
She attended the University of Rochester, graduating with a degree in Education, and did post graduate work in counselling psychology at Columbia University. While at Rochester she met her future husband, Hank. They married after their first year of medical school, with Susan working as a faculty member in the UR Medical School Department of Psychiatry, putting Hank through med school. In 1972 they moved to Seattle where Susan became the director of a home for runaway and homeless teenagers where she and her staff attempted to find stable families and living situations for them. She and Hank moved on to the National Cancer Institute for more training and brought their wonderful daughter Elizabeth into this world. The family settled back permanently in Seattle in 1979, where Susan served in a multitude of community roles, including 12 years on the Mercer Island School Board (including president), president of the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and a number of leadership roles in the Mercer Island PTAs. In 2010 she was named one of two Mercer Island Citizens of the Year.
As our family grew Susan’s amazing grandchildren became a primary focus of her life. She loved Julia and Emma and was always there for them. Whether it was driving them to school and activities, providing them with resources and presents or just always being there to love them, they have been such a great joy and huge part of her life for the last fifteen years.
Susan’s love for animals was one of her defining traits. Many a wayward dog found itself in her kitchen while we searched for the owners. She and Hank have had wonderful golden retriever companions for over 50 years. She was known around Mercer Island for her colorful golden retriever clothing . Susan knew everyone and everyone knew Susan. She had an amazing capacity to make you feel like you were the most important person in the world.
Susan is survived by her loving family, including her husband Hank, daughter Elizabeth, son-in-law Phil, her two wonderful grandchildren, Julia and Emma, her loving niece Andrea Addison and nephew Ken Safft and her golden retriever Haisley.
