Remembering Susan Perez: Beloved Bronx Mother and Devoted Yankees Fan Honored on Her 55th Birthday at the 9/11 Memorial.
On what would have been her 55th birthday, family, friends, and strangers alike gathered at the 9/11 Memorial to honor and remember Susan Perez, a beloved mother from the Bronx whose warmth, strength, and unwavering love continue to ripple through the lives she touched. The solemn occasion served not only as a remembrance of a life taken too soon but also as a celebration of the joy she brought to everyone around her—a joy that echoed in her laughter, her generous heart, and her enduring love for the New York Yankees.
Susan Perez was more than just a name etched in stone. She was a daughter, a sister, a devoted mother, a friend to many, and a spirited fan of the Yankees, the team that brought her moments of happiness and distraction during life’s more difficult days. Her Bronx roots were strong, her loyalty to her family even stronger, and her devotion to her city unwavering. To the people who knew her, she represented the best of New York—resilient, tough when she had to be, endlessly compassionate, and full of life.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Susan grew up in a working-class family where love was abundant even when money was not. From an early age, she learned the value of hard work and the importance of community. Her childhood memories were often laced with the sound of baseball games coming through the radio, the smell of food cooking in her mother’s kitchen, and the vibrant energy of the city streets. Yankee Stadium was more than just a ballpark—it was a place where Susan could dream big, a place where magic felt possible. Her love for the Yankees wasn’t simply about baseball; it was about belonging, about pride, and about finding joy in the small, shared moments of cheering alongside thousands of fellow fans.
As she grew into adulthood, Susan embraced motherhood with the same passion and loyalty she gave to everything else in her life. Her children were the center of her world, and she worked tirelessly to give them a life filled with love, encouragement, and opportunity. Whether she was working double shifts, helping with homework late at night, or finding creative ways to make ends meet, Susan was the kind of mother who gave her all and then gave a little more. Her laughter could light up a room, and her hugs had a way of making people feel safe, seen, and loved.
Her connection to the Yankees remained a constant in her life. She had a favorite Yankees jacket that she wore proudly, even during the warmer months, and her living room was adorned with memorabilia, posters, and photos from games she had attended. Derek Jeter was her favorite player, not just for his athletic skill but for the way he carried himself—with grace, humility, and grit. In many ways, Susan saw her own values reflected in him. Watching games was often a family event, with Susan leading the cheers, keeping score, and providing running commentary as if she were sitting in the broadcast booth.
The events of September 11, 2001, shattered countless lives, including those who loved Susan. That morning, like so many others, she went to work in lower Manhattan, not knowing it would be her last day. In the hours and days that followed, her family hoped against hope that she would walk through the door, that she’d call from a borrowed phone, or that somehow she’d made it out. When those hopes faded, grief took root, but so did a fierce determination to honor her memory.
Over the years, her loved ones have made sure that Susan’s legacy endures. Her birthday has become an annual moment of reflection and remembrance. The 9/11 Memorial, with its quiet waterfalls and engraved names, has become sacred ground for her family, a place to come together, to mourn, and to celebrate the life she lived. On her 55th birthday, a small group gathered once again to pay tribute—leaving roses, Yankees caps, and handwritten notes at her name. There were tears, yes, but there was also laughter as stories were shared about Susan’s love of singing along to Motown hits, her never-miss attitude during family gatherings, and her loud cheers during Yankees playoff games.
The city of New York has changed in the years since 2001, but the spirit of people like Susan Perez remains woven into its fabric. Her life, though cut short, continues to inspire strength in those who knew her. She is remembered in quiet moments and in community events, in Yankees games watched on warm summer nights, and in the comforting advice she once gave that still echoes in her children’s hearts. Her impact is felt not just in memories but in the lives that carry forward the kindness and resilience she embodied.
As part of the 9/11 Memorial’s annual birthday reading, Susan’s name was spoken aloud, followed by the words, “Happy 55th Birthday.” It was a simple phrase, but in that moment, it carried profound meaning. It was a declaration that Susan Perez is not forgotten, that her story still matters, and that she continues to be loved fiercely by those she left behind. The crowd around her name paused, many placing their hands on the cold stone, taking a moment to reflect not only on the tragedy but also on the beauty of a life lived with purpose.
Her children, now grown, have taken their mother’s lessons to heart. One became a nurse, driven by a desire to care for others just as Susan once cared for them. Another followed in her footsteps as a devoted Yankees fan, carrying forward the traditions of watching games and proudly wearing pinstripes. Their lives are a living testament to the strength, compassion, and determination that defined their mother.
Every September brings a renewed sense of loss, but also a rekindled commitment to never let that loss define the totality of Susan’s life. She was not just a victim of a tragedy—she was a woman of strength, a devoted mother, a passionate New Yorker, and a die-hard Yankees fan who lived life with a full heart. She is remembered not only for how she died, but more importantly, for how she lived.
The 9/11 Memorial remains a place of national mourning, but for families like Susan’s, it is also a place of personal connection. On her birthday, they stand not just as mourners, but as guardians of memory, as celebrants of life. They speak her name with pride, hold onto her stories, and share them with the next generation. They laugh about how animated she became when arguing about baseball stats, how she never let anyone leave her home hungry, and how she always insisted on dancing at every family party—even if no one else joined her.
In a world that can often feel chaotic and uncertain, Susan Perez’s story is a reminder of the enduring power of love. Her life was not defined by the way it ended, but by the way it was lived—with joy, courage, generosity, and an unshakable belief in the people she loved. Her spirit continues to live on in the Bronx neighborhood where she grew up, in the hearts of her children, and in the pinstripe-clad fans who still fill Yankee Stadium, many of whom never knew her but honor her legacy all the same.
As the sun set on the day that marked what would have been her 55th birthday, the soft glow of remembrance lingered around her name on the memorial. The city bustled on as it always does, but within that sacred space, time slowed to honor a woman whose life continues to radiate far beyond the years she was given. In remembering Susan Perez, the world is reminded that every name on that wall holds a universe of love, dreams, and irreplaceable humanity. She may be gone, but she is never forgotten.
