Opinion Editor Grant Kuppenheimer interviews John and Anne Carter, the parents of Suzy Carter, to learn more about a college alumna who epitomised the college ethos and left a lasting legacy – an incredible woman who touched the lives of many.
If you’ve ever ventured into the Learning Resource Centre to study or attempt to study, you will find a curious inscription on one of the chairs dedicated to St John’s alumna, Suzy Ferguson, “who loved St John’s almost as much as her fellow Johnians loved her.” But who is Suzy, and why does her continued legacy speak to the very nature of the college itself? Suzy Ferguson (née Carter) was born on 21 March 1981. She tragically died of bowel cancer, surrounded by family and friends in a North London hospice in July 2012. She left her father John, mother Anne, brother Christopher, sister Katy, and husband Alex, whom she married in 2006. Suzy was 31 years of age.
Before Durham, Suzy lived in Harrogate, where her father worked as the Diocesan Communications Officer for the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, and her mother worked as a teacher. From the sixth form of St Aidan’s (a Church of England affiliated school), Suzy studied English Literature in 1999 as a student at St John’s College. After graduating with honours in 2002, she had a year of work experience in Newcastle. She explored a religious and public relations career before settling on the latter after being recruited by Lewis PR that same year. She worked with distinction until the end of her life, touching the lives of many with a deep sense of altruistic compassion.
To better understand Suzy’s lasting impact on college, I sat down with her parents — John and Anne — to learn more about a Johnian who deserves much recognition and attention. Since a young age, Suzy was fully involved in the Church and chose to maintain a personal Christian identity as she grew into adulthood. Every summer, the family would lead the ‘Pathfinder’ camp in the Lake District, an opportunity for Suzy to demonstrate her unique positivity and selflessness by becoming a youth leader, which are attributes that she would continue to cultivate both at university and beyond. Yet, “Suzy never let her faith get in the way of having a good time”, explained John, “her life mantra was always ‘go do it, live life to the fullest!”
“She brought so much happiness to all those around her in such a short time”
sally O’neill, colleague
Suzy’s time at St John’s was extraordinarily active and passionate, involving herself in many student endeavours with the college and university alike. Suzy was a member of the Bear Witness Theatre Company, where she produced Godspell, sang in student choirs, was a member of the Christian Union, ran tours of Durham Cathedral, welcomed fresher students as a college parent, and ran the St John’s Toastie Bar. Throughout college, Suzy was remembered as extremely charismatic and friendly, always going out of her way to meet new people and make them feel welcome.
At St John’s and after, Suzy’s public-spirited character, always putting others before herself, marked her legacy. After she passed away in 2012, many colleagues and friends from Lewis PR gave strong testaments to her strength and love for those around her. Chris Lewis, the founder of the London-based PR firm, writes, “Any company is the sum total of the personalities it attracts. Foremost among ours was the inimitable Suzy Ferguson (her married name). Her contribution to our lives is one of her many legacies that we will treasure.” He continues, relating to a fond memory of Suzy’s while at the firm: “The company once had account teams named after London tube stations. Suzy named her team ‘The Angels’ for their Islington origins. The light in our world is diminished. We draw strength through that in another, the light is more radiant as Suzy joins a new team of angels.”
Chris and many other friends at Lewis wanted to continue her legacy after her death by founding the Suzy Spirit Award. In PR Moment, a past winner sums up the ethos of the award: “the award recognises what Suzy Ferguson stood for and awards people working in the industry who care about helping and inspiring those around them … Suzy was an inspirational person whose work impacted clients and her colleagues, plus she worked tirelessly in the community outside of work, even after she was diagnosed with cancer.”
Suzy’s genuine altruism shone through my conversation with her parents. Indeed, even after her diagnosis, Suzy’s spirit never diminished, even for a second. During the final years of her life, Suzy was always focused on those around her by supporting and sustaining the environment. Shortly after her passing, colleagues articulated what became intuitively evident to me during the interview. “Suzy was relentlessly positive at work, and her positive attitude was contagious,” writes Lisa Gillingham, a colleague of Suzy. “Life isn’t the same without Suzy,” comments Sally O’Neill. “She brought so much happiness to all those around her in such a short time.”
Suzy truly “lived her life full of love”, which was very much shaped by her formative experience at St John’s
Naomi hamill, a close friend
What was most striking to me as someone who previously did not know much about Suzy beyond an unknown name in a long line of college alumni was her dedication to bringing hope and happiness to those around her despite her suffering. Suzy’s moral compass and personal philosophy — strengthened by her devotion to God — were never questioned in those final years; if anything, such conviction was strengthened. Naomi Hamill — a close friend of Suzy — wrote how Suzy truly “lived her life full of love”, which was very much shaped by her formative experience at St John’s.
Indeed, it became clear to me through those who knew Suzy best that her moral and ethical views — which in turn contributed to sustaining her own extremely optimistic outlook during a terminal diagnosis — were shaped by those formative years at St John’s. The welcoming environment of John’s, lovingly encouraging Suzy to enthusiastically live out her passions and positively engage in college life, enabled her to flourish and grow. Suzy felt at home within the Christian atmosphere of our college, which promoted qualities of genuineness, hard work, communal support, and integrity. Suzy knew she made the right choice in coming to St John’s.
Suzy…chose to leave a legacy, one final gift to the world so that others may find peace and happiness
Yet, as Naomi writes, “I can’t say that it is easy watching your friend die at thirty-one.” Indeed, Suzy’s death leaves many unanswered questions that would challenge the beliefs of any. It would have been reasonable for Suzy to be bitter until the end, question her faith, and not go gentle into that good night, but she decided against it. Her positivity was a choice, and her stoic resolve and compassionate commitment to the betterment of others were sober decisions amidst insurmountable suffering. When one internalises the mysteries of existence, the bewilderment of selfless love and unjustified suffering, there is often no logical explanation that comforts you regardless of your background, beliefs, or education. Suzy — recognising her own inevitability — chose to leave a legacy, one final gift to the world so that others may find peace and happiness.
So, the next time you find yourself in the LRC, cramming for an exam or trying your best to procrastinate, look under your desk or chair. You might find a small dedication written to some very inspiring and incredible Johnians who, years after leaving St John’s, continue to influence and shape our college today.
Images kindly provided by John and Anne Carter.
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