Susan (Sonya) Takaroff Trevizo

Profile Updated: June 21, 2022
Residing In: Schenectady, NY USA
Children: Michael, born 1976
Melissa, born 1977
4 grandchildren: Eric, Abby, Isaac, Johanna
Several More…Step-grandchildren: Jesse, Christian, Karen, Deanna, Albert
Comments:

After my retirement as a photographer from Lifetouch NSS and my second divorce, I returned to Schdy in March, 2O14 to care for my mom. I remained her primary caretaker until her death in August, 2017. She was 108 years old. I currently live in the family home.

March of 2018 I had the opportunity to travel to Israel for the second time in my life, 50 years after my first visit. I was fortunate to be able to experience this spiritual journey.

Due to back problems, I had to give up the rigorous volunteer work at the horse rescue. However, I now sponsor a horse named Hayden at Equine Advocates in Catham NY. This horse is from the same horse rescue that I volunteered at in Colorado, Horse Protection League. He is a mustang and was unable to get along with the other horses in the pasture who were not mustangs. Fortunately we were able to pair him up with a another mustang at Equine Advocates, so he arrived in NYS just a few months before I returned, in 2014. What a coincidence!

I am currently editing my first memoir, entitled "The Education of a Musician's Daughter. The memoir is intended for my descendants, but I will attempt to publish it.

Susan (Sonya)'s Latest Interactions

Hide Comments
Susan (Sonya) Takaroff Trevizo posted a message. New comment added.
Mar
18
Mar 18, 2024 at 6:05 PM

Posted on: Mar 18, 2024 at 11:51 AM

Dear Sherryl,

I have the best news. I received an offer to publish my memoirs last week. The letter was highly complimentary, and I will sign the contract this week. This is an event I dreamed of, but I never thought would really happen. Last Monday I had hip replacement surgery, and Tuesday, when I checked my email, there was a letter from the publisher. Two life changing events of completely different natures two days in a row! I can hardly step off of cloud nine.

Soon either I or my publisher will be in touch to have you sign a release since you are one of the characters in the coming of age memo. I also will have to get in touch with other classmates for the same purpose. I remember our discussions in the past, and you did seem pleased with the portion I wrote about you and your parents, but did you ever think this day would really come?

I'll be in touch soon.

Sonya


Sonya

Feb
10
Feb 10, 2024 at 4:33 AM
Aug
16
Aug 16, 2023 at 9:36 PM

I first met Ava at Hebrew School.  We were nine years old when we became instant friends.  She wore her hair in pig tails, and I was so happy to meet someone with hair almost as curly as mine.  She had the biggest grin on her face and smiled all of the time.  I often went home with her after Sunday School, and we played together all afternoon.  Sometimes she would practice her ballet and teach me the steps.  I wished that I was graceful and petite, like her.  But mostly we just talked and giggled, as young girls often do. 

Although we went our separate ways as teenagers, we still managed to get together from time to time.  Whenever I needed a friend, she was there for me.  She was loyal, honest and never complained about anything.  Today, when I think of her, I picture her smiling.  Infact, I can't remember what she looked like without a smile on her face. Thoughts of the good times we had together still warm my heart.  The world seems emptier without her in it.

Feb 10, 2023 at 4:33 AM
Susan (Sonya) Takaroff Trevizo added a photo to her profile gallery. New comment added.
Jun 21, 2022 at 6:30 PM

Posted on: Jun 21, 2022 at 6:21 PM

Susan (Sonya) Takaroff Trevizo added a photo to her profile gallery. New comment added.
Jun 21, 2022 at 6:30 PM

Posted on: Jun 21, 2022 at 6:16 PM

Susan (Sonya) Takaroff Trevizo added a photo to her profile gallery. New comment added.
Jun 21, 2022 at 6:31 PM

Posted on: Jun 21, 2022 at 6:12 PM

Mar 12, 2022 at 2:49 PM

My family moved from NYC to Schenectady when I began third grade at Zoller School.  It was a difficult adjustment for me.  So difficult, that I was somewhat of a pariah for a few years at school, although I did have friends on the outside.

In sixth grade, Rita Pidgeon became my friend. She initiated the friendship, hung out with me, stuck up for me, and even invited me to her home.  I couldn’t believe my change in luck.  After having zero school friends, one friend was not just one number past zero, one friend was enough to change my world. 

The next year, when we entered Oneida JHS, I was able to assume a new identity and enjoy an improved social life.  I didn’t keep in touch with Rita, as our paths never crossed again.  However, I have never forgotten the soft-spoken, generous girl who so graciously offered me friendship.  I always wanted to thank her for it.  Now all I can do is include her in my memoirs

Feb 10, 2022 at 4:33 AM
Oct 30, 2021 at 2:47 PM
Feb 10, 2021 at 4:33 AM
Feb 10, 2020 at 4:36 AM
Mar 28, 2019 at 6:17 AM
Feb 10, 2019 at 4:33 AM
Feb 10, 2018 at 4:33 AM
Dec 18, 2017 at 8:10 PM

I read David Boughton's comments about Carter's Crew and I want to make a suggestion which I hope you find helpful. Horses are used in therapy for children who have autism and there is a program in Saratoga Springs called STEP which does just that. I know they are closed for the season but they are scheduled to re-open in March.

I have been involved with horse rescues for the last 18 years and have found horses to be highly spiritual creatures. I have heard successful stories about horses who worked with autistic children as well as troubled teens and prisoners. I volunteered for a horse rescue in Colorado which used horses for a veteran's program. I did not work directly with the veterans, but I did work with the horses who were in the program.

I have found horses to be highly therapeutic and have benefitted greatly from,working with them. I was supposed be helping them but they paid me back ten-fold in the way they helped me.

Susan (Sonya) Takaroff Trevizo posted a message. New comment added.
Dec 18, 2017 at 10:04 PM

Posted on: Dec 18, 2017 at 7:33 PM

Just the other day I was watching a re-run of Exodus. When the theme song played I had a flashback of you playing that number at one of our talent shows. What an inspiration that music was and what an inspiration you we r e when you played it. Then I remembered our conversation at the re-union and I thought, "No wonder she majored in music!" So glad we had a chance to catch up. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

Oct 06, 2017 at 12:33 PM

Dear Paula, I have been out of touch for decades, only returning to Schenectady for brief family reunions. Since I am here I thought that I may as well attend our 50th class reunio. So I joined our class website, and that is when I found out that you had died. I remember when you told me that you had been accepted to St. Lawrence University. You were so happy that day! The dream of attending the college of your choice had come true. You explained that your heart had been set on St. Lawrence because when you had interviewed there you had been impressed with the traditional, classical atmosphere. How different we were! I was headed to the college of my choice, SUNY Binghamton. You couldn't get any more untraditional,than that! After high school we lost touch, but I often thought of you and how you were able to overcome your difficulties with a positive attitude. Although your mom had died, you did your best to help your father with your younger siblings and you tried hard to,succeed in school. Beset by a difficult loss at a young age, you were able to stay on track and follow,your dreams. Back then I was trying to keep from being overwhelmed by typical teenage problems, so I was very impressed with how you faced your more difficult situation. You were my peer, but you were also an excellent role model whom I admired and respected. After I joined the website I was so sad to learn that you had shared a similar fate with your mom, dying young and leaving small children behind. Just this last month I lost my mom, and I thought of you and how brave you were when you lost yours. You are still a role model to me! Although I won't see you at our 50th class reunion, I know you will be there because you will be in my heart. My love goes out to you and your loved ones. Sonya

Susan (Sonya) Takaroff Trevizo added a photo to her profile gallery. New comment added.
Aug 20, 2017 at 4:09 PM

Posted on: Aug 20, 2017 at 4:07 PM

Aug 20, 2017 at 4:06 PM
Hide Comments
Posted: Jun 21, 2022 at 6:17 PM
Posted: Jun 21, 2022 at 6:21 PM
Posted: Jun 21, 2022 at 6:12 PM




agape