Susanne Gollin
September 22, 1953 - April 6, 2025
Funeral Information
April 8 2025 - 2:00 pm
Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Avenue, (Squirrel Hill) Pittsburgh 15217
SUSANNE M. GOLLIN: Susanne M. Gollin, Professor Emerita of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and one of the first researchers hired by what is now the Hillman Cancer Center, died April 6, 2025 with her loving family by her side. She was 71.
A respected cytogeneticist and teacher, Susanne died following a long battle with metastatic breast cancer, the disease she spent her career helping to understand and conquer.
Susanne pioneered important discoveries in the field of head and neck cancer. During her career, Susanne discovered and patented the observation that loss of specific genes with parallel overexpression of other genes correlated with the development of cancer and resistance to treatment. Her discoveries showed the presence of these defects could be used both prognostically and as a guide to alternative therapeutics.
As a professor, she mentored students, post-doctoral fellows, colleagues, and friends. She was especially supportive of those just getting started in their careers. Susanne was a founding fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics & Genomics, the International Academy of Oral Oncology, and the Indian Association of Molecular Pathologists. She was a long-term member of both the Allegheny County Board of Health and the Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention, and Research Board. She was board-certified as a clinical cytogeneticist by the American Board of Medical Genetics.
Susanne was an ardent sports fan. She was, for many years, a faculty representative on the University of Pittsburgh Faculty Athletic Committee overseeing the operations of the university athletics program. Susanne and Lazar loved going to see all Pitt sports teams play - dropping by the university club for lunch before catching a basketball game was a favorite past time. Chicago sports teams were also near to her heart- she watched every Northwestern game on television, and she often cheered on the Cubs and the Blackhawks.
Together with husband Lazar she sought to make the world a more just place for all, always willing to help others. Among her many charitable activities, Susanne was on the boards of the Women's Law Project and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, served as the Highland Park Garden Club Program Director, and was an elected Judge of Elections for her precinct.
Susanne grew up in Lincolnwood, Illinois, the daughter of two physicians. She graduated from Niles West High School and obtained her undergraduate, Masters, and PhD degrees at Northwestern University. She conducted post-doctoral work at the University of Rochester and the Baylor College of Medicine. Susanne served as a faculty member of the University of Arkansas Medical School before moving to Pittsburgh in the 1980s.
Susanne is survived by husband Lazar Palnick, son Jacob Palnick, sisters Roberta Lottinger and Joan Gollin Gaines, brothers-in-law Tom Lottinger and Louis Gaines, sister-in-law Rachelle Palnick, and many nieces, nephews (Austin, Stephanie, Blake, Marcella, Naomi, Andrew, Cassandra, Doron, Muriel) and godchildren (Caden, Cassia).
Services at Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Avenue, Squirrel Hill on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at 2 PM. NO prior visitation. Interment at Temple Sinai Memorial Park. For Shiva information, please call Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. at 412.621.8282.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Susanne's name to the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. Donations can be made online at http://www.giveto.pitt.edu/Gollin-memorial or mailed to:
The Gollin/Gaines Family Award
University of Pittsburgh Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement
PO Box 640093
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Attention: School of Public Health
Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. www.schugar.com
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My sincerest condolences to her family, Lazar and Jacob, sisters Roberta and Joan. There are no words for a time like this. All I can say is try tom keep in mind what her Dad tried to teach me over 50 years ago. Never be defined by your circumstances. I never fully understood what he meant even with help from Dr. Pearl. Flash forward 45 years to when I was going through treatment for thyroid cancer. It finally understood what he meant. The challenges she faced the past 5 years were circumstances beyond her control. They were not who she was. She was one of the smartest, most astute people I have ever known. Remember the person who she is, not the circumstances she faced. The person is all that matters. An Old Friend
By Richard Barbour - April 15, 2025
Suzanne loved her family, her career and gardening. She was a generous woman who was compassionate and will be truly missed. Take care Lazar and Jacob.
By Elizabeth Gettig - April 13, 2025
Dr. Gollin fostered a deep love of genetics in me that has stayed in the two decades since I had her as a professor. She profoundly impacted many students during her career. May her memory be a blessing.
By Rachel Nusbaum - April 11, 2025
I remember Susanne with great fondness, even from the few times I spent time with her. She had immeasurable warmth and kindness. My sincerest condolences to Lazar and Jake. May her memory be a blessing.
By Daniel Shapiro - April 11, 2025
Deepest condolences. She was a brilliant and special person. We have wonderful memories of the many New Years' Eves spent in her home. She made everyone feel warm and comfortable.
By Cynthia and Arthur Baldwin - April 10, 2025
Dearest Lazar & Jacob,
Words are insufficient to express the loss that you and so many others feel at the passing of Susanne. It makes it no less easier that we knew for months of her travails. She was an incredible asset to this community, a spirited soul willing to challenge us all to push for what was good, decent, and healthy public policy, and a feisty debater who made our dinner conversations so much fun! To say her memory will be a blessing to us all is a truism, but we are all grieving what you and the rest of this community has lost in her passing. Please know that you have many friends who are with you today and in the months ahead.
Yours,
Jon & Jane
By Jon & Jane Delano - April 09, 2025
Dear Lazar and family, my deepest sympathies on your tremendous loss.
By John B. Joyce - April 08, 2025
Susie was an incredible woman whose brilliance and generosity impacted many lives. I'll be forever grateful to have shared NU days and sorority sisterhood with her. Lazar and Jacob, I am deeply sorry for your loss.
By Mary Mugica Winter - April 08, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss. Susanne was incredibly passionate about her work and teaching, inspiring everyone around her with her dedication and enthusiasm. Her legacy will live on in the many lives she touched. Please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
By Darcy Thull - April 08, 2025
I will miss my dear friend. So sorry for your loss.
By Judy Rusiski - April 08, 2025
Suzanne was such a kind neighbor and friend, and we looked forward to seeing her walking her dear dog, Mocha, every day past our house. She shared her care and attention so that people and even plants could flourish. She shared her passion for gardening and cultivated such a beautiful yard! She was kind to our growing family and had sage advice for our kids as they grew, probably from her many years of mentoring and teaching. She was so proud of Lazar and Jacob, and held her family tight. We loved her dearly and will miss her spirit!
By The Mondor Family - April 07, 2025
Dearest Lazar and Jacob,
My deepest sadness to hear of Susanne\'s passing. I visited her in Pittsburgh September 2024 and am so blessed I was able to see her.
To: Bobbie and Joanie:
I share your sadness. Susanne and I were SDT sorority sisters and she was a brides-maid in my wedding way back in 1973. I have many memories of spending time at your home in Lincolnwood. All of the Gollin family will always lovingly be in my heart and prayers.
Marcia Erenrich Steinfeld
By Marcia Steinfeld - April 07, 2025
Lived across the street from me growing up in Lincolnwood. She was a wonderful person and a lot of fun even back. Always very smart. She will be greatly missed. So sad to hear this news. My condolences to her entire family.
By Harry Silverman - April 07, 2025
Dr. Gollin was my Cytogenetics professor in the Genetic Counseling training program at Pitt. Not only was she brilliant, she had a wonderful sense of humor and such a kind heart. I will always have such fond memories of her. May her memory be a blessing to all who loved her.
By Julie Goldstein - April 07, 2025
Susanne was a great person and a dear friend whose mother was in my father\'s medical school class which made us like family. May her memory be for a blessing.
By Steve, Jenny and family - April 07, 2025
She was a person who did keep in contact with college friends.
By Juanita E. McRae - April 07, 2025
Susanne was a talented scientist and a generous woman. May her memory be a blessing.
By Suzanne Sule - April 07, 2025
So sorry to hear about your loss. Suzanne was a force, inspiring many. She will be missed. May her memory be a blessing.
By Jennifer and Mitch Creinin - April 06, 2025
May your memories of Susanne be a blessing. She was an amazing human, spouse, mother, sibling, friend and mentor to many. She will be sorely missed. 💕💕💕💕🙏🙏🙏🙏 I will cherish our times together as friend and roommate at Northwestern University.
By Helene Lieb - April 06, 2025
Lazar and Jacob my deepest condolences on your loss. What a remarkable teacher and mentor she was to me and so many! I’m sorry she’s gone but so so grateful she was here. Her memory will live on in so many students.
By Kurt Weiss - April 06, 2025
Dr. Gollin’s empathy for patients and her experiences of living through the changes in our field were so evident in the lectures she taught us. I admired the tenacity it took those is her generation of women in STEM in general and genetics in particular to carve places for other, including me and my peers, to follow. I wish peace for her soul and comfort for her family. Her physical self is gone, but the imprints she left on the lives she touched while she was here continue to ripple outwards.
By Lauren Westerfield - April 06, 2025
So sorry for your loss.
By Sandy Davis - April 06, 2025
I am so sorry to hear this! May her memory be for a blessing. I have wonderful memories of Sue from our NU college days. I will cherish them always. 🩷
By Lynne Kaufman Bomzer - April 06, 2025
I am at such a loss that Susanne is gone. She was truly a dear, dear soul and will be missed by all of us in the Krebs family.
By Robert A. Krebs - April 06, 2025
Dear Lazar
We are so sorry to hear of Susanne’s passing. It was an honor to have known her.
We send you our deepest sympathies.
Rowna & Stu Sutin
By Rowna & Stu Sutin - April 06, 2025