Donor Corner—Simcha “Sue” Rudolph
Ms. Rudolph left a lasting legacy that helps support our work in the Caribbean even after she's gone.
When Chris Berry first met Simcha Rudolph, known as Sue to her family, in 2001, she told him she was an accountant. He soon realized she had left out a lot about herself. A longtime supporter of The Nature Conservancy in Florida, Colorado and the Caribbean, Simcha spoke through her actions throughout her life. She passed away in 2018 after a six-year battle with ovarian cancer. As part of her legacy, she left a portion of her estate to The Nature Conservancy and other conservation groups. Chris, her life partner of 17 years, worked with TNC staff to identify projects that would have inspired her.
Through her estate, TNC’s Coral Innovation Hub in the USVI received a three-year, $250,000 matching gift to advance ocean science and innovation. The multi-year commitment allows the Caribbean team to plan with confidence and motivates others to invest in this work.
“Simcha and I loved St. John and visited many times,” Chris shared. “She loved snorkeling. It was another universe.” One of their favorite spots was Waterlemon Cay, where abundant vegetation and soft corals reminded Chris of the Beatles’ “Octopus’s Garden.” “The slower we swam, the more we saw,” he said.
Their shared interest in marine science, initially inspired by a visit to a marine research lab, grew throughout their shared life. That interest became a commitment to conservation action. Chris believes Simcha would be gratified to know that the research they enjoyed learning about together now informs TNC’s Coral Innovation Hubs.
“Simcha was a modest person,” Chris said. “She didn’t talk about her philanthropy, but she would be happy to know her legacy will encourage others to contribute their time, energy and money to protecting the environment.”
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