Susan Twomey

Her refreshing unfiltered nature set her apart in a world too often compromised. She had zero tolerance for falsehoods and pretense, approaching life with hilarious wit and wisdom that cut through any situation.

As a single mother running her own business, she was the embodiment of determination and resilience. Her natural artistry found its expression in cosmetology, where she possessed an extraordinary ability to connect creatively with each client’s hair. An award-winning cosmetologist, she was recognized as a true artist with an exceptional talent for transforming not just hair, but the spirits of the people she served. She gave generously of herself in this demanding field, understanding that working so intimately with people required both skill and heart—qualities she possessed in abundance.

Always with a side hustle to ensure her children never went without, she lived by the principle that “work never hurt anybody”—though she would admit later in life that even this philosophy had its limits. Her entrepreneurial spirit was matched only by her fierce dedication to family.

She encouraged her children with such depth that it instilled a powerful self-esteem at their very core. “You can be anything you want to be,” she would say, and then proceeded to model this belief through her own courageous choices and independent spirit.

A freedom fighter at heart, she stood tall against injustice and taught her family to do the same. She needed little to be content—just her transistor radio playing the Giants game, a healthy vegetable garden, and a direct line to her children and grandchildren.

A student of many faiths, it was love that was her true religion. In her memory, Sharmaine, Shannon and Robyn ask that you stand up against an injustice, speak an uncomfortable truth, or share unconditional love with someone who needs it—just as she would have done.