Remembering Susan C. Garrity

Today, we celebrate the life of Susan C. Garrity, a dear colleague, leader, and friend. As we reflect on her legacy, we find solace in the countless memories and contributions she leaves behind. 

As Chair of the Legacy Committee, she worked tirelessly, ensuring that every committee member felt heard and valued. Her diplomacy was a testament to her ability to disagree without creating discord, earning her the respect and admiration of those who worked alongside her.  

A facilitator, motivator, and catalyst for others, Susan encouraged those around her, generously sharing her spirit, compassion, and forgiveness. Her respect for diverse cultures and people was unwavering, creating an inclusive and supportive environment within the Conservancy.  

She was passionate about telling the stories of the people who came before us at Dix Park—the indigenous communities that hunted and gathered on this land, the residents of Spring Hill, and the patients and staff of the former hospital.  

She had a profound dedication to oral history, evident by her enrollment in the Columbia University Oral History Master of Arts program in her seventh decade—a commitment that reflected the seriousness with which she approached her craft.  

Susan's humility was a defining trait. Never one to brag about herself, she maintained a gracious and understated demeanor. Despite her personal health challenges, she continued to work tirelessly on initiatives like leading NCSU Caldwell Fellows in an oral histories project, establishing Dix Park as a Site of Conscience, and actively participating in community workshops and board meetings—activities she saw as laden with meaning and destined to create a lasting legacy. 

In the words of writer and journalist Joan Didion, "We tell ourselves stories in order to live." Susan's legacy is not confined to the projects she spearheaded or the committees she chaired; it resides in the lives she touched and the stories she helped craft. As we bid farewell to our dear friend, let us carry forward the torch of passion, dedication, and grace that defined her. May her spirit inspire us to continue the meaningful work she so wholeheartedly believed in, ensuring her memory lives on in the heart of Dix Park and beyond. 

Click here to read Susan’s obituary and learn more about her life & work.