Susan Gazzara lives in the middle of the New Jersey Pinelands with her husband, Joe, and their adult daughter Stephanie. Two adult sons and a beloved grandson live nearby.
Stephanie’s birth 35 years ago made Susan a lifelong special needs parent. As the mother of a child with severe autism spectrum disorder, she quickly learned the ins and outs of special education advocacy and continues to struggle daily with the lack of services for the severely behaviorally challenged.
Susan has been a journalist for over 30 years in television, radio, print, and digital media.
Two stints as the editor of small-town community newspapers convinced her of the urgent need for fair and consistent local news coverage. “Decisions that impact communities are made in municipal meeting rooms, and good reporting gives all citizens a seat at the table,” she said.
The seed that eventually gave birth to Colors on the Mountain took root from Susan’s quest to communicate with her daughter and listen to her unique way of replying.
Colors on the Mountain moved from idea to page following the deaths of Susan’s parents and an aching need to know that some connections don’t break; they simply change and sometimes change again.