Please cherish your memories, both online and offline, of Susan "SHarris" Harris (1968-2004).

She passed away last Sunday, 08/05/04.

She was always a huge fan and user of The Crusade.net and got many story ideas for her book, Mahogany Magazine, from ya'll's serious, outrageous, mean, silly, and poignant discussions here.

Here's Susan's funeral info and her job, City Limits, has set up a fund for her son, James Calinda.

A viewing will be held from 2-6 pm on Sunday, September 12. The funeral will
be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 13. The viewing and the funeral will
be held at Granby's Funeral Home (718-519-6047), which is located at 4021
White Plains Road (btw. E. 226 and 227) in the Wakefield section of the
Bronx. Interment will be in Cypress Hills Cemetery in Queens.

Granby's Funeral Home can be reached by taking the #2 train to E. 225th
Street, and walking two blocks north. By car, take the Bronx River Parkway
north to E. Gun Hill Road, make a right on E. Gun Hill, then a left on White
Plains Road.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home.

Cards may be sent to James Calinda, Susan's 16 year-old son, at:
James Calinda
1835 Needham Avenue, apt 4G
Bronx, NY 10466

Contributions in Susan's name are being collected by City Limits and will be
given to James, who will be starting college next year.

City Limits
Tara Colton
212-479-3341
tcolton@nycfuture.org

Thank you for celebrating Susan's life, her entrepreneurial drive, and her vibrant personality.

WHAT??? I was just noticing that I hadn't seen her online and was about to call her this weekend...

Ray any details?

My heart goes out to her son and family members...

Marina (aka WIN)

Nah...I know Ray would never joke about anything such as this..

Im straight in disbelief now. 'Mahogany Magazine' Susuan?

whoa..

Oh my goodness. My heart just DROPPED!! My condolences definitely go out to her son and family. This is truly a loss for US!! Any details yet Ray on her passing??

I truly feel for her family and friends.

I will be sending money for her son.

I strongly suggest everyone else do the same.

Rest in peace Sharris. I send my condolences out to your family. Man, how sad.

What a loss - such a sweet woman.

My condolences go out to the family and especially to her son who she was so proud of.

Oh man....

I'm in shock reading this. She was such a real person from my prespective... no false pretenses or anything. I'll always remember she and Ultra treating us all to McDonald's at the 2nd Crusade Get Together... cuase the spot didn't have any food!

I'll be sure to hold on the issue of her Mahogany.

The world is a little "less" without her.

May God bless her son and family with comfort.

Does anyone know how she died? I hope it was painless and peaceful.

dammnit man, this isnt even funny, i remeeber just talking to her in the pm a while ago, she had a 16 year old son! this is real messed up man, where ever she is I hope she is in a even more better place..forreal... damn man.

Oh my Lord.....

I was just reading her debut issue of Mahogany last weekend and sharing it with a few friends. I am deeply sorry.

Prayers go out to her family and friends, especially her son.

She will be missed here on The Crusade.

New to the site. But RIP...that is sooo sad :0( Condolences to her fam and the extended crusade.net fam too. Reading the posts I can feel that you all truly loved her.

peace

I really don't know what to say but she will be missed.

May God bless her soul.

Damn. Im truly sorry to hear about this.

Mid August, we had a PM exchange about her coming on my radio show to promote Mahogany Magazine. She wanted to write somthing about my radio show in her next issue, from what I hear was in production, and coming very soon.
THIS WEEK Tuesday ...I just happened to check her blog, and in the last entry - it seemed as if things were moving forward for her. Sounded mad positive and upbeat.
A few women I know copped that first issue and gave it a cosign particularly since she - by herself - with limited help, took action on her dream instead of just talking about it.

Only got to meet her in the physical once, but full of energy and life is what I can say about her. She dang sure left an good impression on me, and inspirational with her drive.

I just came back to the computer, hit refresh and saw this...I really wanna hope im just buggin here.

Ray/Frogs:
I respectfully request and think pinning this topic until after her internment is complete would be a nice tribute of sorts.. and give time for folks to see it, who might otherwise miss the posting.

Larry

Damn I had many conversations with her. She had such a big vision. Her son was her world. damn Life is so short.

My prayers and sympathy go out to her , her friends , and her family.

Ray I 'm sorry you lost a friend and I thank you for allowing us to know her personality through your website.

* wow*

I am floored... I am sure you all remember when she was the only one who took our crazy label idea serioulsy enough to offer us money so that we could at least do a project. My heart is in my stomach I spoke with her twice and she was def someone who believed in dreams coming true. I'll be sure to send what I can....life is short ya'll. Be sure to tell everyone you care about how you feel even if they don't know it..

I am constantly reminded of how fleeting life really is...
Sharris is a perfect example of how necessary it is to not waste time in going after your dreams. She inspired me with her magazine pursuit and didn't even know it. Her posts were always funny and real.

May her family feel God's peace at this difficult time.

Damn Yo

May She Rest in Peace, and my prayers go out to her family and friends.

I found out today.

I wasn't sure how appropriate it was to post this info but there wasn't any other way to let ya'll know.

Details are sketchy. Her coworker said it was possibly a brain aneurysm.

She also mentioned how excited Susan was about ya'll's discussions on the boards. Like she affected our lives, ya'll affected hers.

She even increased subscriptions to her magazine by plugging it and ya'll supporting her dream endeavor.

I also remember her crazy stories about being one of the few people of color in Portland and her bid in the US Navy.

Sharris lived her life and pursued her dreams (Mahogany). And I'm better for having experienced, in person and online, her incredible vitality.

Thanks for the info Ray.

I just hope there was minimal suffering on her behalf... that could be comforting to her family in the long run.

I'm trying to be there on Sunday afternoon, if only for a few minutes.

Man.....

There is always a lesson to be taken in and learned when we (collectively) witness the premature loss of one of the *good* guys.

RIP Sharris.

Well..Bronx aint nuthin but a train ride, so ill slide thru for a few.

DAMN, R.I.P SUSAN
YOUR MEMORY WILL BE KEPT ALIVE WITH US CRUSADERS!!

I NOW REALIZED THAT THIS IS MORE THEN A JUST A GREAT WEBSITE, THIS IS A PLACE WHERE GOOD FREINDSHIPS ARE FORMED AND MAINTAINED WITH GOOD HEARTED PEOPLE.

My heart is so full. My eyes are beginning to water. My fingers tremble as I type this message. Its always so sad, knowing you saw that indiviual. I Met Sharris at the crusade gathering, I remember her being laid back and so comfortable at the meet-n-greet.

RIP SHarris

Love now, don't wait for later.
Life is to short.

Everytime I reboot my mind to try to understand this, one word pops out, wow!

This is such a shock to me. Tomorrow is truly not promised to any of us.

Sharris, definitely added a character and flavor to the crusade that was all her own. If any of you were to search her posts, you'd find thoughtful sincere words and that will forever be her "crusade legacy". She had a sense of humor, a zest for life and a huge heart! She was inspirational to us all. I am saying this all without meeting or talking to her once. Wow y'all! I have formed this affinity and opinion all through the internet! And this is my first cyber-friend that has passed away.

Ray, Marina and Raquel:

Thank you again for your support and warm memories of Susan during this
extremely difficult time.

I wanted to pass along the specific information for sending contributions to
Susan's 16-year old son, James Calinda. We are setting up a fund here at
City Limits Magazine, so we can direct the funds to him with minimal impact
on his financial aid status when applying to college.

Checks should be made out to "City Limits Magazine" and sent to:

City Limits Magazine
Fund for James Calinda
120 Wall Street, 20th Floor
New York, NY 10005

Please write "Fund for James Calinda" in the memo line of the check.

Please feel free to post this information on TheCrusade.net and forward it
to people who knew Susan. If folks have any questions or thoughts they'd
like to share, they are more than welcome to contact me at
tcolton@nycfuture.org or 212-479-3341.

Thank you again -- just now, reading the responses to the announcement on
The Crusade just underscored once again how much Susan was loved, respected
and appreciated. She truly was one of a kind.

Tara Colton

MY PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS GO OUT TO SHARRIS SON AND FAMILY. THE WORLD HAS TRULY LOST ONE OF THE ANNOINTED ONES. I POSTED A WHILE AGO ABOUT LOOKING FOR A JOB AND SHE WAS THE FIRST ONE TO REPSOND. HER POSTS WERE ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO READ I ALWAYS SEARCHED FOR HER RESPONSES TO VARIOUS POSTS JUST TO SEE WHAT HER OPINION WAS. SHE LOVED HER SON SO MUCH! SHE WAS SO INSPIRATIONAL AND HER MAGAZINE WAS A GODSEND. A MAGAZINE FEATURING ARTICLES AND IMAGES THAT WERE RELEVANT AND MIRRORED BLACK GIRLS REFLECTIONS.
I AM SOO SAD
PEACE

Okay- i don't know what to say or what to think right now.
I'm just in shock! I remember meeting Sharris at the second Crusade meet 'n greet for the first time and saying to myself, "this sistah is so damn cool, out spoken and down to earth."

Wow...life!

Her strong and positive spirit will most definitely continue to soar across this board.

Bless.

Damn.

Sharris you will truly be missed. My deepest condolences goes out to your family. My deepest condolences go out to your son. I will be sure to make a contribution to his fund. You were a wonderful person and an inspiration.

Damn.......

Much respect and love to her family.
I have lost soooo many people this year...I understand the loss.
GOD BLESS THE DEAD!

OMG I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR THAT I'LL KEEP HER & HER FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS

Friday, August 13, 2004
There is a point in everyone's life where they come into their own. Where a writer finds that she/he no longer struggles to put pen to paper -- words flow as easily as breathing. Singers forget do-re-mi and belt out their hearts, unchecked by their heads. Doctors perform surgical miracles because scalpel is now a natural extension of their fingers -- I say all of that because it is now over the last couple of weeks that I realized I am a publisher. It felt funny. Too easy somehow. I kept waiting for the uncomfortable feeling of "out of placeness" -- it never came. I'm not saying that publishing the magazine is an easy endeavor, in fact it is even harder now than it was several months ago -- but the manner in which I operate now has a grace of its own. In the midst of chaos I am at peace.


# posted by Susan @ 8/13/2004 03:16:24 PM

Just want to say to everyone here on the Crusade.....

I really look forward to getting on the board daily. You all have become a regular part of my day. I have to say, that I have established friendships with many of you.

I was honored to talk to Susan on many occasions about her magazine and she gave me great advice and insight on pursuing future goals.....
She had great networking and people skills, and would absolutely hold a convo with anyone, and was always willing to help when asked......

Just wanted to get that off my chest...

Thanks Crusade

And i was so looking forward the next issue of Mahogany Mag. This is so unreal! I'll miss her.

I am absolutely floored by this. I can't believe it. Susan was such a wonderful inspiration to myself, we spoke on the PM a few months ago and she was so encouraging and vibrant at helping me sort out my dreams, she helped keep me focus and told me the steps to accomplish them. She was such a vibrant personality she will surely be missed by all who came in contact with her. My prayers go out to her family and friends.

I'm in total disbelief and at a loss for words.

My condolences go out to her family and friends.

Really puts things in perspective.

That's a shame, God bless her. Everyone send her son money.

I'm never really good at these things...

But I just want to send out my condolences to her family. I really don't know what else to say

R.I.P. Sharris

-- This just goes to show how this site is actually like one big family. I feel completely in shock and saddened though I never spent too much time speaking with her. I feel a big loss. Condolences.

Let me tell you all something.

THAT WAS A GOOD ASS WOMAN!!!!!

and I will personally missed her so much. I contacted Susan when she was in the plannng stages of the magazine to discuss how I could contribute towards it and she was all for me doing my thing.

I'm sitting here in tears and in shock because she was so young and nice as hell. May god bless her soul and keep her child close to his side.

My condolences to her son, family, friends, co-workers, and Crusaders. I never got the chance to meet her, but I'm very sad to hear about her passing. Just from reading her own posts and the posts in here from everyone who knew her, I know she was and will continue to be a beautiful spirit.

Wow. What can I say. This is really shocking. I've been coming here a while now and altough she and I have never corresponded personally, I still feel like I knew her. Always level headed, understanding, optimistic and never judgemental. There to lend a hand, give GOOD advice and to me felt like an all around geniune person. Her son and family will be in my prayers.

Susan was such a remarkable individual. She was still young full of so much positivity. I certainly hope that someone sees her dream into fruition. As I have offered my services to her before, in the case someone picks up the ball on'Mahogany Mag' my services are available pro-bono.

My condolences to her family, co-workers and fellow crusaders.

I keep logging in and out 'cause really this is unbelieveable news. I am so sorry. I never met Sharris but I do have the Mahagony mag and I remember chatting via posting. My heart goes out to the son and family. May her soul fly free!

Rest in Peace.