In Memory of Susan Snow-Cotter

As someone who has worked at the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) since 1999, and been involved with Coastlines for as long, I have to say that this edition has been the most satisfying, and the most difficult one, to work on. The topic—coastal recreation—is very exciting to me personally. And while working on it, I felt very lucky, even honored, to have such interesting, creative co-workers who truly practice and preach their love for coastal Massachusetts. For those who contributed pieces, on everything from collecting sea shells to fly fishing, I think it was especially challenging to convey the passion they feel for their hobby which, in many cases, is very connected to their career choices and to who they are both in and out of work. Corny as it sounds, these articles come from their experiences, and their hearts. Their hobbies are not just hobbies, and their jobs are not just jobs. They live and love the coast for its beauty and the way it connects them to the environment, and to others. And when it comes to a love of coastal environments, and sharing their hobbies and findings, our Director Susan Snow-Cotter really stood out. She loved to go to the coast to camp, hike, and swim. She lived in sniffing distance of the ocean. She took the commuter boat to work. She crewed in the Hingham Harbor. She and her husband owned a lobster boat.

For those who were lucky enough to work with Susan, we will forever remember her ocean-inspired jewelry and clothing choices (she loved shades of blue and purple, and had earrings and necklaces with bits of sea glass and shells), as well as the vintage “Pollution Testing” kit for kids that sat on a shelf in her office amidst ocean-related maps and artwork, and photos of her family.

Before Susan died, before she was even aware that she had Inflammatory Breast Cancer, she had worked on an introduction to this edition, which we are including on the right. Susan lived her life doing the things she loved, and her job—the connections she made to people through her work—was one of her loves. She kept working up until the very end, and never failed to share a laugh and ask others how they were doing. Sometimes I think I still hear her laugh (it was very distinct and often contagious). We hope that Susan’s last piece for Coastlines—based on the importance of balance and teamwork, two principles she embodied throughout her career—gives you a glimpse into her life and legacy, and all that she meant to us here at CZM.

Arden Miller

Editor, Coastlines

Susan was 45 and healthy when she was struck with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC), a rare and aggressive disease. Although she was diagnosed quickly, many are not because IBC symptoms are more similar to a skin infection than breast cancer. In her memory, please take a moment to familiarize yourself and your loved ones with this silent killer through this web-based information: www.komotv.com/ibc, www.ibcresearch.org, www.ibchelp.org, and www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/IBC.