Susanna Oroyan is gone and we are all poorer

Yesterday on the Fifth of September I got on the road and drove to Eugene for a memorial service for The Empress of the Universe, Susanna Oroyan.  Hard to believe she won't be here to organize us any more.  I was so happy to meet her beautiful son Martin and daughter-in-law.  They brought their little boy and are expecting their third child.  Their daughter, of whom Susie was so proud, was sitting for exams in England and could not attend.  Tom, Susanna's husband looked pail but determined.  He has MS and this long bout with Susanna's illness has taken it tole.   His brother and two sisters and Susie's mom and brother were also there and that was a great support for him as well.  The service was lovely and there were many local doll makers there, who have loved and looked after Susie for years, to morn her death.  None of us could wish her back.  Her  body was a burden for her, but the legacy that she left can not be over stated.  Her books have defined the doll form for this age.  She has put into the public domain every folk solution known to the doll making world for the execution of the doll body.   She has set the feast.  Here's to the Empress, we salute you and will never have a gathering where the real Maud Alice does not preside.  (For those of you to whom this name Maud Alice is strange, she was Susie's most divine creation and in every way was Susie herself.)

Comments

[Marie-Fay McDonald]

Ellie,
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. I know she was special to you. Glad you could go to the Memorial service.
Love ya,
Muff

[Maggie Robinson]

Oh My , I was so sad to hear the news of Susanna's passing. I have admired her work for years and have all her books which have inspired me so much.
I did not know her and yet felt I did through her work.
Maggie Robinson

[Joanne]

Thank you for sharing the news of Susanna's passing. I did not know of her illness. Like Maggie, I have admired her work and have all her books...her inspiration will live on through her fabulous work.

Joanne

[Heather]

I'm sorry to hear this news. My prayers to her friends and family.

[Dawn Alice Rogers]

oh, i am so sorry to hear this! it is so true that she has left an incredible legacy for doll makers present and future with her books. thank you so much for the post.

[Jean Peterson]

Such a loss to the dollmaking world - most of all to those of us who stil have so muxh to learn. We'll remember Susan and all the wonderful teachers she represented so well.

[Louise]

So sad to know she passed away. I did not know her but of her. Her work is still my favorite.You are lucky to have known her.

[Lisa Thoms]

I was so sad to hear of Susan's passing. The news came quickly and harshly in a teddy bear forum that I belong to. I knew she had been sick for several years but always hoped and prayed that she would pull through. Her books are inspirational and even as a teddy bear artist, I find myself thumbing through them every now and then hoping one day to call myself a doll artist.

[Dottie]

How horribly sad this news! Hers were some of the first books on dolls that I read and I found them to be magical and I have been mesmerized with dollmaking ever since. What a loss to everyone who loves dolls and values the work and true creativity that goes into these works of art.

[spiralsun65]

I was so sorry to hear about Susanna; I didn't know her but I have her books and have much admired her work.

[Sher]

This is the first I've heard of her passing; I knew she was ill but had no idea how severe. It's very sad news but I'm thankful that you posted this.