MARQUIS MAY 2024

MARQUIS • Serving St. Louis’ Near Southside Neighborhoods 10 MAY 2024 One of the people who made Lafayette Square a great place to live passed away last month. Suzanne Sessions had expe- rienced heart complications for several years. In 2016, she survived a serious episode, and afterward she freely reported that she had “died on the table.” That time, she benefited from the action of a certain Kirkwood police officer and a real miracle of modern medicine. This time, however, she went to the hospital to deal with an issue with her pacemaker, but did not survive the procedure. Suzanne was one of the most energetic and lively octogenarians I have ever met. She was creative, fun and outspoken and loved Lafayette Square. She had a degree in theater scenic design from Yale University and had worked as an independent designer for Disney, Universal and Anheuser-Busch theme parks. She came to Lafayette Square in 1984 and bought an attached house on Kennett Place. She applied her design talents to the Square with her idea to make the summer House Tour in 1996 a “Tornado Tour,” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the devastating tornado that had such a huge impact on the neighborhood. She designed the house tour poster and also designed an extravaganza for the inside of one of the houses that was on the tour to recreate the tornado’s affects inside the house. It had draperies, light fixtures and even furniture flying around every which way. After retiring from full-time employ- ment, Suzanne shifted her attention to the Historic Code, and helped update the document— specifically to include how to deal with he reality of a very large, Residentsmourn the loss of Lafayette Square leader: Suzanne Sessions 1941 — 2024 new construction development, which was happening on the abandoned Prax- Aire site. And in another, more “hands-on” role, she worked for several years for the House Tour Committee to solicit and find neigh- bors willing to open their homes for Tour. Scores of those reading this article know Suzanne from that effort. Suzanne was the sort of person who makes Lafayette Square special. She will be missed. — Dick Stockmann The late Suzanne Sessions designed this poster and conceived the theme of the 1996 House Tour. The LSNA board is seeking a new Membership Chair. The Membership Chair plays a critical role in shaping a vibrant and cohesive commu- nity, serving as the primary — and often very first — link between the LSNA and its members. Responsi- bilities include recruitment, retention, engagement, communication and data management. The primary duties include managing our membership software, sending meeting reminders and other notices out to LSNA members, and responding to emails. Additional duties may include spearheading recruitment efforts and fostering member engagement (such as arranging for member perks). These combine for about four to six hours per month. The Membership Chair also attends the monthly LSNA board meetings and general meetings. The board is looking for someone who is personable and enthusiastic about Lafayette Square and the LSNA and who possesses communication, customer service and collaboration skills. This is an important role but also an enjoyable one for a person that appreciates getting to know their neighbors! If you think you might be a good fit, speak to anyone on the LSNA board and/or email Chris Budde at president@lafayettesquare. org and Christina Ryan at pastpresi- dent@lafayettesquare.org . LSNA seeks membership chair MEMBERSHIP FORM: Lafayette Square Neighborhood Association MEMBER INFORMATION Name(s): Address: Telephone: Circle one: home work cell Email Address: MEMBERSHIP LEVELS (New or Renewal) __General $35 (Individual) __Renovationist $60 (Household) __Restorationist $150 (Household __Preservationist $250 (Household) __Marquis Circle $500 (Household) __Lafayette Society $1,000 (Household) __Friend $20+ (Individual. Status would be Non-Resident and/or Non-Voting) Members must be at least 18 years of age. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION __I am interested in volunteer opportunities. __I am a new resident. PLEASE PRINT AND RETURN TO: LSNA Membership, 2023 Lafayette Ave. St. Louis, MO 63104 Or Join Online at www.lafayettesquare.org Memberships are valid for one year from date paid. The LSNA is a 501(c)(3). Memberships are tax-deductible to the extent allowable under IRS regulations.