From Ann Z. Norris

Florence VV Davis, Membership Chair

It was with great sorrow that the NAVVF learned recently of the death of Marilyn Toyne Susoeff of Bridgeville, PA on August 2, 1996 after a long battle with cancer. She was born on January 28, 1931 to Arthur Toyne and Edith May Bowman Toyne. She married William Susoeff and had a daughter, Carrie.

A member of Br. 6 through her 4th great grandmother, Lydia VV Strope, Marilyn joined the NAVVF in 1989. Her enthusiasm for genealogical research knew no limits and before long she had NAVVF members excited about a fascinating project -solving the mystery of a missing VV family Bible.

In 1991 her description of the search for the lost Bible stimulated great interest, not only among NAVVF members, but among the public at large.

Marilyn's vocational background was in the field of communications and she excelled at gathering local publicity for the search -publicity that eventually led to its discovery in Texas. At the same time a number of VV descendants in the areas where the search had taken place also discovered the NAVVF. Many of them became new members, all because of Marilyn's enthusiasm and hard work.

Your Membership Chairman was one of them. In 1991 I just happened to come to Franklin, NY, to research my VV grandparents, on the day after Marilyn was there, checking on an old Bible in the town library. The newspaper story about her search included her address and as soon as I returned home, I wrote to her. She answered at once, telling me about the NAVVF and sharing her enthusiasm for tracing one's ancestry. "It gives you a big boost toward having a unique identity," she said. "I heartily endorse genealogy as a beneficial family activity, and I wish I had known more about 'who I am' a long time ago." What she told me about the NAVVF sold me right then and there.

I had hoped that I would meet Marilyn at an annual meeting some year but that was not to be. Now, as I read over her letter and her articles in past issues of News Notes, I grieve that I won't ever get to know her better. But I realize that the influence of someone like Marilyn can never really die. Her enthusiasm and joy in helping others learn about their family history continues to inspire all whose lives she touched, no matter how briefly. Thanks again, Marilyn, for all you have done for the VV family.