Susan Lynne Kafka of Stoughton, MA passed away suddenly on February 17, 2020.
She is the beloved daughter of Georgette (Thierry) Kafka and the late Bernard Kafka. She is the loving sister of Natalie Caplan, Stephen Kafka and Suzanne Howard, Lucie Kafka and William Mockus, Phillip Kafka and Jennifer Chase, AmyJo Garcia and Carlos Garcia. She was an amazing Aunt to Richard, Ebru, Allison, Emily, Jordyn, Jarod, Evan, Sloane, Chase, Wes, Emerson and Ethan. In addition she leaves behind her beloved Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Moka and the late Bleu.
Susan was born and raised in Sharon, MA; the third of six children. She was also surrounded by a large extended family – eight aunts and uncles and sixteen first cousins, all of whom played a formative role in her upbringing.
Sue graduated from Sharon High School in 1982. She then matriculated at Stonehill College in Easton, MA, where she majored in Communications and Media Studies, graduating with honors. After Stonehill, Sue joined her father’s law firm: Kafka, Kaufman, Kafka & Kafka. While working at Kafka & Kaufman she furthered her education by earning her paralegal degree. For the next ten years she worked side by side with her father, Bernie.
In 1994, Sue started a new career path in human resources when she joined Mercer as an HR administrator. While working in this capacity she matriculated at Simmons Graduate School of Management. She earned an MBA specializing in Business Administration and Management, graduating in 2003. After earning her MBA, Sue was offered and accepted the position of Client Manager, and then HR Business partner at Mercer.
In 2008, Sue left Mercer to assume a role as HR Consultant for Genzyme. Sue was then offered a position at ThermoFisher Scientific and she accepted. At ThermoFisher Sue held roles as Manager of Corporate HR, Director of Corporate HR and then as a Senior Director of HR.
Throughout her life Sue was the definition of selflessness in all that she did, and all those she cared for. She was passionate about giving back to society, volunteering at Meals on Wheels, Elderly Well Care, Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue and for various Rotary International events. Although she was not a Rotarian herself, she was recognized by Rotary International. She received the Rotary’s Paul Harris award for all of her work over many years and many events. Sue also rode in the Pan Mass Challenge multiple times raising thousands of dollars for cancer research.
There are so many qualities that Sue will be remembered for. Her full-bodied infectious laugh was something to behold. So joyous and wonderful was her laughter that all others would have to join in. She was generous to a fault, always ensuring that those that she loved were taken care of. From childhood on, Sue was an avid athlete. Bicycling and swimming were her greatest passions. She participated in triathlons and other various fun athletic events, and always encouraged others to join in.
Sue was also a member of the prestigious Les Dames d’Escoiffier, an international culinary arts organization. Her grandmother, Germaine Thierry, was a co-creator of the organization and Sue was a proud member, carrying on traditions established by her grandfather George Thierry.
After a lifetime of giving to her family and her community, she gave the gift of life to four organ recipients. Her spirit will live on in all of us.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 20th at 9 am at Temple Sinai, 25 Canton Street, Sharon, MA. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.
Remembrances may be made to:
The Gifts of Hope
c/o Sharon Rotary Club
PO Box 534
Sharon, MA 02067
Or
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue
10042 Wolf Road, Suite B, PB 36
Grass Valley, CA 95949
http://www.ridgeback .org
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