I want to express my condolences to Dr. Merkel's family on her loss. I just read about her passing in the Catholic University magazine.  Dr. Merkel was one of my favorite professors in the Masters of German program which I completed in the 1980's. She truly made the German language and especially the classical period of German literature come alive for  us. And as a mentor, she was extremely supportive of us, her students.  I will hold on to my fond memories of her and thank her for nurturing my understanding and love of German.

My deepest sympathies. With love, Andrea Svejda

My friendship with Ingrid began much too late to flourish due to our having met during the advanced stages of her disease.  Ingrid was an inspiration to me in her courage and determination, her intellect, and her humanity.  The limitations of her voice and of my hearing hindered our communication, but Ingrid was not deterred.  Her willingness to ignore her handicap and maintain social interaction allowed me to develop a profound appreciation for the person that she was.  I will miss her and forever mourn the friendship that would surely have developed under normal circumstances.

Please accept my sincerest sympathies on your loss. Ingrid was an amazing women. I feel honored that I had the chance to get to know her over the last 3 - 4 years. She was one of a kind. 
She came to see me for physical therapy (LSVT) to help manage her Parkinson’s. She was determined to stay strong and active. I have never met anyone like her. My heart is saddened by your loss. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. 

Ingrid was my mother's best friend. I believe they met at Catholic University in the late 1960s. They both shared a love of literature, the German language and Europe. As a child, I called Ingrid "Tante Ingrid" ("Aunt Ingrid").  When we moved to Vienna, Austria, Ingrid was a frequent guest in our home and my mother and I would visit Ingrid in Washington, D.C. many summers. When I moved back to D.C. in the late 1980s,  I reconnected with Ingrid and we stayed in touch, ever more so in the past few years. It is thanks to Ingrid that I, like my mother, attended Catholic University. I am grateful for her friendship and her guidance. I will miss her. 

Anatol Steck

I was in the CUA Honors Program and had the distinct honor to be mentored by Dr. Merkel and to take a class taught by her.  Dr. Merkel was exceptionally kind, supportive, and most incredibly brilliant.  At times, I felt like I was not understood by others, but Dr. Merkel had a way of always understanding.  She truly helped me succeed and become who I am today.

My sincere condolences to all Ingrid's family members. 
I am thankful not only for Ingrid's friendship but also for her positive influence in my life. Many years ago I went to Catholic University seeking a master's degree, admission to the Department of Psychology in the School Counselor program. Not only was I dismissed as an unlikely candidate, but there was also a waiting list for that program. I was sitting on an old bench in McMahon Hall with my head in my hands, possibly weeping when a tall gentleman walked up. He introduced himself as Dr. John Brown and suggested I try the Modern Languages Department instead. Soon after that I was studying Baroque German poetry with the vibrant Dr. Ingrid Merkel. Despite the esoteric nature of some of the literature she introduced me to, I always felt an affinity for my professor, partly I think because she was from Cologne, Germany. I had lived for several years in nearby Bonn, due to my father's posting there. During the 1970's Ingrid's enthusiasm for comparative literature played a huge role in my life. She not only encouraged me to complete the master's degree but to go on for a PhD. Ultimately, she became the chair of my dissertation committee. Seven years and two children later, I finally received the title of "doctor." I never entered academia as a professor, but the PhD opened the door for me to embark on an interesting career assisting military officers in structuring their master's theses. A group of my students simply called me "Doc." Ingrid found that amusing!  Later, when Ingrid was already afflicted with the dreadful disease that took her, she did me the honor of asking me to help her with the structure of her novel. With the bravery, persistence, and artistic skill that characterized her, under duress, she completed and published that novel. It was my turn to be extremely proud of my good friend. Thank you, dear Ingrid, for all you gave. Solveig

May you lay down in the bosom of the Lord as you journey to the land of no return. Yolanta has never stopped saying good things about you since i knew her, what a great loss in the family. When she broke the news to me, my heart dropped for her dad because i know the vacuum that will be created in his heart and the entire family. My condolences to the Ingrid's family with love.  I bid you good night Mrs Gertrude Ingrid

Our deepest sympathy to the family for Ingrid's loss. It was a loss for us, too, who treasured her generous friendship all these many years. She was a ray of sunshine for so many colleagues and students. And almost single-handedly she changed the undergraduate intellectual scene on CUA's campus. May she rest in the peace of the Lord.
Anca and Virgil Nemoianu

Dear Mourning Family of Ingrid's:

I am writing these words of condolence with deep sadness upon learning of Ingrid's passing, something was inevitable - it showed her amazing mental strength and resilience how she managed to beat Parkinson's for so many years - yet it is so difficult to truly realize this day has come and she is no longer with us.

Ingrid was one of the most wonderful human being I have ever known, whom I respected tremendously, and from whom I have learned even more appreciation for humanism, humor, intellect, and decency.  You will be missed.

Zoltan Mari, MD 

I am indebted to Dr. Merkel (& Barbara) for providing a wonderful environment and experience in the UHP at CUA.  For countless students like myself, I felt lucky to be a part of this family who could depend on the unbounded generosity and love they provided us in our undergraduate education.  We stand on the shoulders of giants!

To the Merkel-Sužiedėlis family - we are holding you in our hearts as you celebrate the life of Dr. Merkel.  The only thing that outshone her tremendous intellect was the care she showed for the students. I met her on a snowy day in the winter of my senior year of high school on an accepted honors students' overnight. It was my conversation with her that sealed the deal for me that Catholic University was the place for me.  The Honors program she led was the springboard for my career wherein I've worked to be of service in the corporate world as she was to all of us in her academic one.  May her memory be for a blessing.

-L. David Kingsley
CUA c/o 2000 

I first met Ingrid when she was a gazelle.  The place - the long hall of the Law Department at Catholic University.  The occasion- conveying an honorary doctorate to Valdas Adamkus, the new President  of Lithuania.  As I lingered waiting for the ceremonies to begin, I became aware of fast movement on my left - it was a tall slender woman loping fast  toward me, barely touching the floor!  Then she stopped and - smiling broadly - declared that she wanted to introduce herself! So long. Ingrid. (Galina)

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Merkel.  She was a brilliant woman, and the love and warmth she shared with her Honors Program students was unparalleled.  I will be keeping Ingrid and her loved ones in my prayers.  

I was so deeply saddened to hear of Ingrid's passing. She was a beautiful soul who inspired so many students. I will miss her.  Sending my prayers to Tony and all her family.

Fr Kyle Ingels 
CUA '99

OBITUARY

Ingrid Gertrud Merkel-Suziedelis

December 30, 1938 – June 2, 2023

John M. Taylor Funeral Home

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