Susanne Jaffe

“Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional! ”

Passed from this world on September 20, 2024, Susanne was born on July 1st, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York. Driven, brilliant, and independent, she graduated from Skidmore College and immediately headed for France. There she was able to indulge and develop her lifelong love for French arts and literature, the language, and the people. Her passion for world travel and foreign cultures never dulled, as she continued to enjoy travel throughout the last years of her life.
Susanne built a distinguished career in publishing, best exemplified by her notable positions at Avon Books, Simon & Schuster, and Random House in New York. In 2001, she moved to Columbus to be closer to her family. Here she served for twelve years as the Executive and Creative Director of Thurber House, a non-profit literary center. In her position and after retirement, Susanne inspired, taught, and mentored writers of all ages while still somehow finding time to write and publish her own novels. She considered herself a “book doctor” and enjoyed sharing her love of letters by teaching others the craft of writing. She believed in the power of education and was herself a lifelong learner, taking classes at Harvard and the Ohio State University.
Unquestionably talented and successful, she was far more than her career would have you believe. Her sense of humor (see favorite quote above!) and enviable eye for fashion was unmatched and seamlessly blended her flair for both whimsy and sophistication. A lifelong patron of the arts, and having a personal gift for the dramatic, she loved the theater. She adored all dogs, but had a special place in her heart for pugs and boston terriers, especially her beloved Jocko. She enjoyed hockey and football and boogying to classic rock. We will miss her unforgettable and contagious laugh. Most importantly, she made the people in her life feel as though they could accomplish anything and was always an example of authentic self-expression in a world where it can be hard to find.
Susanne was a known wordsmith, but there are no words to describe the impact of her life and the immeasurable loss felt by those who were fortunate enough to know her. She was a devoted sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend. She was a force that will be missed by everyone she touched. She was, and always will be, a continuous inspiration to her nieces.
Susanne is survived by her two nieces, Gillian and Dorrian Jaffe, and her sister-in-law, Victoria Jaffe. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Columbus Museum of Art on Thursday, October 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Interment will be held privately. Susanne requested donations in her memory be made to Columbus Humane.